Inovação tecnológica e sustentabilidade na cadeia de suprimentos da indústria alimentícia: monitoramento, rastreabilidade e governança como vetores de competitividade

Abstract

This study analyzes the role of sustainable innovation in the food industry, with a particular focus on JBS's sustainability investments and their impact on corporate competitiveness. The objective is to understand how the adoption of sustainable practices, innovative technologies, and environmental governance mechanisms contributes to companies' ability to adapt to the demands of international markets. To achieve this objective, the study employs an exploratory qualitative approach based on a literature review of books, scientific articles, institutional documents, and legislation related to innovation, sustainability, global value chains, and international trade. In addition, a case study of JBS is conducted through the analysis of sustainability reports, annual reports, and other corporate documents published by the company. The findings indicate that sustainability has evolved from being merely a competitive advantage to becoming a strategic requirement for maintaining access to global markets, particularly in response to increasingly stringent environmental regulations concerning traceability and deforestation. The analysis shows that JBS's investments in territorial monitoring, traceability, certifications, energy efficiency, circular economy initiatives, and technological innovation have strengthened its ability to comply with regulatory requirements while enhancing transparency and governance throughout its supply chain. However, the available data do not allow the establishment of a direct causal relationship between these investments and specific financial performance indicators, limiting the assessment of their economic returns. The study concludes that sustainable innovation plays a strategic role in the competitiveness of the food industry by contributing to risk mitigation, strengthening corporate governance, and enabling companies to adapt to the new environmental and commercial requirements that characterize the contemporary international market.