Corporate Social Responsibility refers to the business' role in providing Sustainable Development through fair and appropriate relationships with its stakeholders. This study aimed to describe and analyze the CSR evolution in two subsidiaries within the same group, one located in Brazil and other in China. In general, observed similarities in CSR evolution. In both companies, the order in which the dimensions received incentives was the same, first the economic, then the environmental and lastly the social dimension. However, some differences were noted, such as the initial situation of dimensions and the time to consolidate the pillars. In Chinese company, the inicial situation about environmental and social dimension was worst. Other point refers to time toward CSR. In Brazilian' subsidiary, the CSR evolution occurredrslower. The last point refers to requirements of second order, given the non-observance of these in both subsidiaries.

In this work, iron ore tailing (IOT) was used for the production of two different materials: sodium silicate and geopolymers. Initially, reactions of IOT with NaOH were carried out by hydrothermal reaction in autoclave at 200 °C (1:1.5 and 1:2.5 SiO2:NaOH molar ratio) and reaction times of 4 and 8 h. X-ray fluorescence by dispersive energy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and titrations showed that IOT:NaOH ratios of 1:2.5 and reaction time 8 h completely dissolved the quartz from the IOT, obtaining a solid fraction consisting mainly of hematite and an aqueous phase of sodium silicate, which showed contents of ca. 23% SiO2 and 19% Na2O. This sodium silicate obtained was then combined with IOT (25 and 50 wt.%) to produce geopolimeric material with excellent physicochemical properties, fast curing time and very good compressive strength results, which ranged from 41 to 58 MPa and many potential applications.

A busca constante pela excelência no âmbito empresarial tem exigido um conhecimento minucioso de todos os recursos da empresa, principalmente no que se refere à área produtiva, na qual realmente acontece a agregação de valor ao produto final. O mapeamento dos processos, a eliminação de perdas e o controle por meio de indicadores confiáveis são fundamentais para o aumento deste conhecimento e para o apoio à tomada de decisões. Com base nesses pressupostos, este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso realizado no processo de produção de uma fabricante de capacitores resistentes a altas vibrações dentro da indústria automotiva. O objetivo foi encontrar o caminho da eficiência, primeiramente mensurando os ciclos de produção, em seguida, identificando pontos falhos e, por fim, propondo ações que visem o crescimento do IROG (Índice de Rendimento Operacional Global). A aplicação do método permitiu identificar a operação gargalo e demais pontos limitantes do processo, contribuindo para a alavancagem da eficiência na empresa.

High mortality rate and an environment in constant change set up a context in which the search for innovation becomes essential to business’ longevity. Incubation has been proposed as an alternative to start-up companies, giving support for their development. Seeking to explore which characteristics enable a firm’s development through incubation, a multiple case studies were performed. Interviews were carried out with two Incubated, and three Graduated companies. Results indicate that the incubation process is important to strengthening of the firm. This was observed when innovative strategies employed by companies were analyzed. Was founded an evolution from Incubated to Graduated. During the incubation process, the companies showed a greater focus on strengthening their knowledge bases, seeking to establish qualification relationships and invest in an innovation strategy based on better human resources allocation while the Graduated ones attempt to achieve further innovation by structuring and coupling their own commercial and R&D departments

O atual cenário do trabalho, caracterizado pela intensa racionalização e alienação dos trabalhadores, é apontado como responsável pela perda de sentido do trabalho para o indivíduo. A partir deste contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo compreender os fatores que contribuem para um trabalho ter sentido, tendo como objeto de pesquisa o operário, o mais afetado por estas transformações. O referencial utilizado baseia-se, principalmente, nos estudos do grupo MOW (1987) e Morin (2001). A pesquisa utilizou uma abordagem quantitativa, com a participação de 114 operários que trabalham em uma indústria fabricante de componentes eletrônicos situada na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, respondendo a um questionário elaborado com base nos estudos de Morin (2001). Os dados quantitativos foram analisados por meio de técnicas estatísticas descritivas. Para os operários, um trabalho que tem sentido permite o uso das capacidades individuais e recompensa adequadamente o trabalhador. Complementam esta definição fatores relacionados ao prazer em trabalhar, o uso de criatividade, o aprendizado e o reconhecimento das competências do trabalhador.