Mentalidade sustentável e o agronegócio: um estudo multicaso na região do Triângulo Mineiro

Abstract

Context: The adoption of sustainable practices enables firms to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthen their market position, and respond to growing demands from consumers, investors, employees, and society. In this context, managers’ sustainability mindset plays a key role in translating sustainability principles into organizational practices. Objective: Considering the economic relevance and environmental impacts of agribusiness in Brazil, as well as the importance of the Triângulo Mineiro region in the national agribusiness context, this study aims to understand how the sustainability mindset of agribusiness managers is reflected in the sustainability of organizations located in this region. Method: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted using a multiple case study strategy. Data were collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with managers directly involved in sustainable practices in the analyzed firms. Data were examined using content analysis, seeking to advance understanding of the role of the sustainability mindset in organizational decision-making and to provide practical insights for leadership development and sustainable strategies. Results: The findings indicate that managers’ sustainability mindset is reflected in organizational practices mainly associated with conceptions of sustainability focused on the continuity of productive activities and long-term economic viability. More structured practices are observed in the environmental dimension, while a “weak” sustainability approach prevails, characterized by the mitigation of negative impacts without structural changes in production and management models. Alignment with the Program’s Area of Concentration and Research Line: The study aligns with the program’s area of concentration in Regionality and Management by analyzing organizations located in the Triângulo Mineiro, a region strategically important to Brazilian agribusiness. It is also aligned with the research line Society, Development and Regionality by focusing on the individual level, taking managers as central actors and examining how their perceptions of sustainability influence organizational practices and their relationships with society. Impact and Innovative Character in Intellectual Production: The research advances theory by addressing the sustainability mindset in an organizational context, a topic still scarcely explored and predominantly investigated in academic settings. By applying this construct to agribusiness, the study provides empirical evidence of how managers’ mindsets are related to the incorporation of sustainability into organizational strategies. Economic, Social and Regional Impact: The results offer guidance for academic training, managerial development programs, and the improvement of sustainability strategies in regional agribusiness, contributing to more efficient use of natural resources, reduction of socio-environmental risks, and better relationships between firms, workers, and local communities. Regional Implications: The study provides evidence to support planning and sustainable management of agribusiness in the Triângulo Mineiro and in regions influenced by the Federal University of Uberlândia, highlighting limits and potentials of managerial action in addressing socio-environmental challenges. Sustainable Development Goals Addressed: The research is mainly related to SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, by analyzing strategies to mitigate environmental impacts; SDG 13 – Climate Action, by considering the role of agribusiness in emissions and climate adaptation; SDG 15 – Life on Land, by addressing implications of productive practices for soil use and biodiversity; and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, by understanding sustainability as a condition for long-term productive continuity and value generation in the regional context.