Sustainability and Socio-Environmental Management: The Tripod of Sustainability as an Approach to Align Economic, Social and Environmental Practices

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the applicability of the sustainability tripod as an approach to align economic, social and environmental practices in organizations.   Methodology: It was an exploratory qualitative approach, which was carried out with 15 managers of Brazilian companies from various sectors. Individual in-depth interviews and discourse analysis were used to understand perceptions, practices and challenges related to sustainability and socio-environmental management.   Results and Analysis: As a result, it was possible to see that managers emphasized the increasing strategic priority of sustainability not only to comply with regulations, but also to improve operational efficiency and strengthen the corporate image. Benefits include improved corporate image and tangible financial gains, highlighting sustainability as an opportunity for optimization and advantage in the conscious global market. However, challenges include complexity in adapting to environmental requirements, limited employee awareness, and integrating sustainable practices into the supply chain.   Conclusion: It is concluded that sustainability and socio-environmental management are crucial for Brazilian companies not only as a response to environmental challenges, but also as a strategy for organizational competitiveness in the face of competition.