“SER OU NÃO SER?” ESTUDO TEÓRICO SOBRE TRADE-OFFS EM SUSTENTABILIDADE ORGANIZACIONAL

Abstract

It has increasingly figured in the agenda of studies and research, which seek not only to understand the concept of so-called sustainable development, but also to understand how it is integrated into the organizational environment. Angus-Leppan, Benn, Young, (2010) explain that Organizational Sustainability (OS) is an ambiguous term, since there is considerable debate regarding the range of characteristics of organizations. Thus, the need to explore the theme is evident. Utne (2008, p. 2) in his own way defines that “organizational sustainability can be characterized by three pillars: ecological, social and economic”. Hahn et al. (2010) cites Bansal (2005) to highlight that according to the win-win paradigm, corporate contributions to sustainable development are achieved only at the intersection of the three principles of environmental integrity, social equity and economic prosperity. However, this work encompasses the idea, made explicit by Hahn et al. (2010) that although there is growing evidence that advantageous situations can exist under certain conditions, the authors warn that the assumption that these three principles correlate in harmony is quite simplistic, given the complex and multifaceted nature of sustainable development. In this conceptual space, the disharmony that may happen between the pillars of the SO, as well as this dynamic of organizational sustainability, the concept of trade-offs in Organizational Sustainability is inserted. The concept of trade-offs arising from the economy has figured in organizational studies for some time, however, it is still a topic little discussed in studies focused on sustainability. This work seeks to present, based on theorists, that the trade-off theme is closely related to the study of Organizational Sustainability. It can be concluded that the concept of trade-offs is present in the literature on Organizational Sustainability, as the conceptual relations studied show that trade-offs can be observed in the decision-making processes on sustainability (economic, social and environmental pillar), in investor options, as well as different organizational levels and dimensions.