AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL PROTOCOL AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ENTREPRENEURS´ ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: A STUDY ON MULTIPLE CASES OF AGROINDUSTRIES AND SUGARCANE SUPPLIERS IN THE MICRO-REGION OF ASSIS, BRAZIL

Abstract

Several studies have shown that the introduction of the environmental dimension in corporative management may provide competition stances for companies and improve their image for stakeholders. Social demands for a cleaner environment coupled to an increase in environmental regulations have made companies of the sugar-fuel sector to implement extensive programs for the prevention and mitigation of environmental impacts. The Agro-Environmental Protocol of the Sugar-fuel sector of the state of São Paulo is a cooperation agreement signed in June 2007 between the government of the state of São Paulo, represented by the Departments for the Environment and Agriculture and Supply, Sugarcane Industries and the Organization of Sugarcane Farmers of the Center-South Region. Current research assessed the perception of agro-industrial managers and suppliers in the Assis Micro-region on the effects of the Agro-environmental Protocol within the process of environmental management. Nineteen half-structured interviews were undertaken with environmental managers of each organization. Content analysis with Atlas.ti. 7 was employed. Results show a strong influence of the Agro-Environmental protocol in the process of environmental management of the companies, especially the establishment and execution of actions to attend to the technical directions of the Agro-Environmental Protocol.