Principles of sustainability and practices in the heavy-duty vehicle industry: A study of multiple cases

Abstract

© 2016 Elsevier LtdSustainable development is challenging the thinking of organizations, starting to interfere directly in formulating their business strategies. The automotive industry is part of a global context that involves a complex supply chain in which economic, social, and environmental pressures have caused the issue of sustainability to become a competitive edge. Despite its importance, studies point out inconsistencies in the adoption of sustainability practices as broader discussions are not found on the alignment between sustainability principles models in the literature and organizational actions implemented in practice. This research aimed at identifying how the principles of sustainability outlined in the academic literature are aligned with organizational policies and practices in the heavy-duty vehicle industry in Brazil. The study was conducted in three industry companies based in the state of São Paulo, which represent about 74% of jobs in the sector. In general, it is concluded that the environmental dimension is in a more advanced level than the other dimensions with regard to the adoption of sustainability practices. However, there was no evidence that the actions aimed at sustainability are addressed in an integrated manner with regard to investments and generated impacts on environmental, social, and economic dimensions.