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Among the approaches derived from the interface between sustainability and economic theory, the pursuit of appraising the economic value of natural resources, based on the evaluation of services to the ecosystem as a mechanism for environmental assessment and as a support tool for investments in preservation both by government and businesses is emphasized. The objective of this study is to analyze the geographic reach and distribution of Itaipu power plant’s investments in environmental programs, among which their following actions: (i) sediment monitoring; (ii) micro-pollutants; (iii) water quality; (iv) vegetation management of the reservoir protection range; and (v) management of river basins, considering the area of influence and the water contributions of the municipalities upstream of its reservoir. A quantitative research approach was used to collect information on investments and water contributions from the analysis of water supply. It was observed that 94.6% of the investments were concentrated in regions whose water contribution to the generation of energy was less than 4%. From a results perspective, opportunities were identified for expanding investments in environmental preservation to other areas with greater relevance to maintenance of power generation

The demand for organizations to assume greater environmental responsibility has increased in recent years. This demand comes from different segments: clients, suppliers, governments, and the general public. However, many organizations face challenges with the human resources needed to implement environmental initiatives, making it necessary to understand which factors can positively influence the sustainable behavior of those involved in the process. In this perspective, this study aims to raise the theoretical references available on the theme of sustainable behavior of individuals, to better understand the precedents. Techniques of systematization of literature review were used next to the searches made in two scientific databases: Web of Science and Scopus. Upon all the selections made using filters, the search returned 34 articles, published between 2008 and 2017, which were subsequently analyzed so as to identify similarities and major differences between them. It was found that most studies rely on a psychological perspective to understand the precedents of sustainable behavior. Besides that, values, beliefs, and worldviews are still perceived as the main influencers.

The Schumpeterian and neo-schumpeterian theories represent pillars on which the subject of innovation developed and gained expression. Moreover, innovation is an independent area both in national and international congresses. The objective of this essay is to investigate – from two criteria of delimitation (Popper and Lakatos) – the scientificity of innovation theory. Innovation is analyzed from three macro themes: (1) the neoclassical current of economic theory; (2) the introduction of innovation theory and reviews of the more recent Schumpeter manuscripts; (3) the contributions brought by the neo-chumpeterian innovation current. In concluding that the subject of innovation as analyzed meets the criteria listed to categorize the scientificity according to Popper and Lakatos, implications for the field of innovation studies are discussed, such as the construction/transmission of knowledge, the escape from “common sense”, and the use of the “method” as a resource for building scientific knowledge. El objetivo de este artículo es investigar –a partir de dos criterios de delimitación (Popper y Lakatos) – la cientificidad de la teoría de la innovación. La innovación se analiza a partir de tres temas macro: (i) la corriente neoclásica de la teoría económica; (ii) la introducción de la teoría de la innovación y los manuscritos más recientes de Schumpeter; y (iii) las contribuciones aportadas por la corriente neo-chumpeteriana de la innovación. Se concluye que el tema de la innovación responde a los criterios para categorizar la cientificidad, encontrándose que esto tiene implicaciones en el campo de los estudios sobre el tema en aspectos como: la construcción / transmisión del conocimiento, la evasión del "sentido común", y el uso del "método" como recurso para construir el conocimiento científico. O objetivo deste artigo é pesquisar – a partir de dois critérios de delimitação (Popper e Lakatos) – a cientificidade da teoria da inovação. Analisa-se a inovação a partir de três temas macro: (i) a corrente neoclássica da teoria econômica; (ii) a introdução da teoria da inovação e dos manuscritos mais recentes de Schumpeter; e (iii) as contribuições da corrente neo-chumpeteriana da inovação. Conclui-se que o tema da inovação responde aos critérios para categorizar a cientificidade, e que isto tem implicações no campo dos estudos sobre o tema em aspectos como: a construção / transmissão do conhecimento, a evasão do "sentido comum", e o uso do "método" como recurso para construir o conhecimento científico.

In recent years, we have been witnessing a change in the impact and repercussions sustainability issues have on society. For governments and corporations alike, sustainability is a high priority theme connected to strategy. Biodiversity conservation is considered a national security matter by many countries. In this perspective and due to its complexity, the concern with the evaluation of sustainability programs becomes increasingly implicit. There is a growing trend toward the advocacy of participative governance, which takes into account the perceptions of people affected by programs and actions, including that of communities, in decision-making. In this context, the objective of this study is to analyze some environmental programs based on Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant’s strategic sustainability plan, considering existing quantitative indicators, and proposing complementary qualitative ones. This program was analyzed using a qualitative research approach, including interviews, analysis of reports, and technical visits (in situ observation). It was observed that the program includes permanent and integrated actions for the protection of regional biodiversity, operating based on a participatory management system, involving both governmental bodies and civil society. From the point of view of results, we could identify separable tangible results and proposed qualitative indicators which will contribute to a more complete evaluation of the program, such as: involvement of local population, improvement of the ecosystem and biodiversity, and empowerment of aforementioned population.