ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES FOR THE ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN BRAZILIAN MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES

Abstract

Environmental and sustainable management in Brazil is currently considered an essential management model for organizational competitiveness, promoting a balance between economic growth and socio-environmental responsibility. The topic has gained increasing prominence, whether due to the need to meet environmental demands or societal requirements. Regarding micro and small enterprises, it represents both a challenge and an opportunity to improve processes and strengthen their institutional image. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze the main challenges faced by micro and small enterprises in adopting environmental and sustainable management measures and practices, guided by the question: what are the main challenges that hinder the adoption of environmental and sustainable management practices in Brazilian micro and small enterprises? To answer this question, the research aims to analyze the main challenges that hinder the adoption of sustainable environmental management practices by Brazilian micro and small enterprises. Guided by the following specific objectives: to contextualize environmental management in micro and small enterprises in Brazil; to understand the impacts generated by the non-implementation of an environmental management system in SMEs; and to present efficient and effective practices for the application of a low-cost Environmental and Sustainable Management System for a small company. The methodology employed in this research is a qualitative approach mediated by bibliographic research of books, articles, and documents for theoretical support. As a result, the study made it possible to understand the obstacles behind the implementation of environmentally sustainable management.