Revista de Administração Contemporânea

6

Authors: Orleans Silva Martins

The impact that research has on society cannot be measured just by the amount of attention (citations) that it receives. High-impact research is relevant to society and is helpful to strengthen or modify its practices. However, decision-makers have to address society’s demands and participate in the knowledge construction process, primarily through the proper use of scientific findings. Thus, the approximation between theory and practice is essential for the research to be relevant,. In this context, I propose a reflection on research relevance and its connection with practice in the corporate world. It is noteworthy that, despite extensive studies in the fields of management, corporate governance, and sustainability practices, we continue to face frequent corporate scandals. So, where is the flaw in this process?

15

Authors: Ana Paula Pereira dos Passos, Eleandra Maria Prigol Meneghini, Jeferson Lana, Rosilene Marcon

This case aims to promote a reflection on the teaching case writing process and directions for applying the method. In 2020, João Luiz Marinho, a doctoral candidate in Administration at the University of Learning (UNIAPRE), was challenged by Professor Fernando to write his first teaching case for application in the Organizational Strategies discipline, of which he was an intern in teaching. However, many questions about the construction and application of teaching cases probed João’s thoughts, since he had no previous experience with the method, he had little practice in teaching, and the migration of classes to the online mode was very new. Thus, the proposal is to make students put themselves in João’s place, in order to provide a debate on the writing and application of a case for online teaching. It is suggested that it be applied in lato sensu and stricto sensu graduate courses in Administration in the disciplines of Methodology and Teaching Cases.

18

Authors: Cecília Souto Maior, Danielle Mantovani

Objective: in response to the growing importance of environmental issues, more and more consumers are adopting a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, it is important to understand the judgments and perceptions consumers form about the different possibilities of being sustainable. This study aims to investigate how consumers’ inferences about (non)monetary sustainable actions impact the judgments about the contribution of this action and about the actor responsible for the sustainable action. Theoretical framework: based on the costly signaling theory, this research investigates how consumers form judgments about (non)monetary sustainable actions. Method: Study 1 was a single factor (sustainable action: non-monetary vs. monetary) between-subjects design. Study 2 employed a 2 (sustainable action: non-monetary vs. monetary) by 2 (cost intensity: high vs. low costs) between-subjects design. In both studies, participants completed scales that measured the perceived environmental contribution of the action, the moral elevation of the actor performing the sustainable action, morality, and socioeconomic status. Results: consumers form more positive perceptions about non-monetary (vs. monetary) sustainable actions, making more positive inferences about environmental contribution and moral elevation. There is also evidence that morality shapes this effect. Given the actor’s self-investment imputed in a non-monetary action, these individuals are perceived as signaling more morality than those buying a sustainable product. Conclusions: although past research shows that buying a green product signals status, this study shows that it is not enough to trigger more positive inferences about the actor (moral elevation — admiration) and about the contribution of the action to the environment.

22

Authors: Juliana Bonomi Santos, Rafaella Scorsatto Lange, Carlos Eduardo Lourenço

The case portrays the dilemma of Rafaella Scorsatto, operations manager at the Sumaré unit, who needs to propose an operational plan to win the concession for water supply and sewage collection and treatment in the municipality of Maceió. Rafaella managed the process of operational improvement in the Sumaré unit when the company took over the concession in 2015. Despite a troubled start, in less than six years, the Sumaré unit has become a reference in operational excellence within BRK Ambiental. This achievement was possible because, in three different moments in time, the unit was able to understand the main demands of users and public authorities and align its operational resources with them. The case was designed to show students the elements of operations strategy (market demands and operational decisions), the need for alignment between these elements, and the importance of adapting operational practices as new demands arise. To achieve this purpose, the case describes the latent demands of each phase and the operational practices adopted to meet them. By understanding the need for alignment and how each operational decision helps in delivering market demands, students acquire conditions to help Rafaella propose a plan with the potential to win the concession in Maceió. The use of this case is recommended in operations strategy undergraduate and graduate courses, especially at the beginning of the course.