Corporate ESG Practices in High-Risk Sectors: The case of Vale S.A.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37497/jsim.v12.id176.2025

Keywords:

ESG, Institutional Sustainability, High-Risk Sectors, Corporate Governance, Symbolic Compliance

Abstract

Objective: This study seeks to examine the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices adopted by corporations operating in high-risk sectors, with particular emphasis on the case of Vale S.A. following the Mariana and Brumadinho disasters in Brazil.

Methodology: The research employs a qualitative methodology, grounded in a single-case study design. Documentary analysis was conducted on sustainability reports, institutional statements, and secondary data, with the objective of identifying discrepancies between the ESG narrative promoted by the company and its actual institutional conduct.

Findings: The findings reveal a disjunction between the ESG commitments publicly communicated and the company’s operational realities. Although Vale has enhanced its ESG disclosures and reporting mechanisms, such initiatives proved insufficient to prevent reputational crises and recurring socio-environmental tragedies. The evidence suggests the prevalence of symbolic conformity, wherein governance rhetoric fails to translate into substantive organizational practices.

Practical Implications: The study underscores the imperative of strengthening oversight and accountability mechanisms in ESG management, particularly in sectors characterized by elevated environmental and social exposure.

Originality/Value: By analyzing a paradigmatic case within the Brazilian extractive industry, this research contributes to the broader discourse on institutional sustainability, ethical governance, and the risks of formalistic adherence to ESG frameworks.

Author Biographies

Maria Carolinne Recco Alves , Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), São Paulo

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the School of Economics and Business from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Brazil. This article is the result of her final undergraduate dissertation, advised by Diego de Melo Conti and Marcius Fabius de Carvalho.

Diego de Melo Conti , Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), São Paulo

Professor and researcher at the Graduate Program in Sustainability at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Brazil. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Environmental Sciences at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). He holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP), including a doctoral research internship at Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Germany, through the CAPES Sandwich Doctorate Program. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from PUC-SP, with research focused on sustainability.

He is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Sustentabilidade: Diálogos Interdisciplinares and has served as a guest editor for international journals such as Sustainable Development (Taylor & Francis) and Sustainable Operations and Computers (Elsevier). He has published numerous scientific articles in national and international journals, as well as full papers in conference proceedings.

Marcius Fabius De Carvalho , Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), São Paulo

He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP, 1986). He is a Full Professor at PUC-Campinas, affiliated with the Graduate Programs in Urban Infrastructure Systems and Electrical Engineering. His primary research focus is the development of methods for the analysis and improvement of production systems.

He is currently a researcher at CEATEC (Center for Technology Sciences) at PUC-Campinas. His areas of interest include the application of operations research techniques to urban infrastructure problems, such as the allocation of urban freight distribution centers, evaluation of urban public transportation systems, and electric power distribution systems with distributed generation.

Daniele Cristina Coradini, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), São Paulo

Master’s student in Sustainability at the Graduate Program in Sustainability (PPGS) at the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas). Her research focuses on climate change, and she is a member of the research group "Organizations, Society, and Sustainability." She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from PUC-Campinas (2010) and has professional experience in the public sector since 2008. Her academic interests include economic development and sustainability issues in Brazil.

Candido Ferreira da Silva Filho, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), São Paulo

He is a Permanent Faculty Member of the Graduate Program in Sustainability (PPGS) at PUC-Campinas and holds a Research Productivity Fellowship (PQ2) from CNPq. He leads the research group "Organizations, Society, and Sustainability" and develops studies focused on sustainable development, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), social responsibility, and public policy.

He teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the School of Economics and Business at PUC-Campinas. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from PUC-SP, a Master’s degree in Science from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), and Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Accounting from PUC-Campinas.

He has held various academic leadership roles, including Director of the School of Economics (2002–2006), Coordinator of the Research and Extension Center (2009–2014), and member of several academic councils. He was also part of the Pedagogical Support Group (GAPe/PROGRAD) and has experience evaluating institutions and programs for the São Paulo State Board of Education (CEE-SP). He acts as a peer reviewer for national and international scientific journals.

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Published

2025-05-22

How to Cite

Alves , M. C. R., Conti , D. de M. ., Carvalho , M. F. D. ., Coradini, D. C. ., & Silva Filho, C. F. da . (2025). Corporate ESG Practices in High-Risk Sectors: The case of Vale S.A. Journal of Sustainable Institutional Management, 12(JSIM), e0176. https://doi.org/10.37497/jsim.v12.id176.2025

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Vol. 12 (2025): January - December

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