Compliance as a guideline of organizational practices towards sustainability: A case study at Siemens in Brazil

The present study presents a look at sustainability from the perspective of one of principles of corporate governance, compliance, using the Brazilian scenario as context. Brazil is experiencing a period when corruption and... [ view full abstract ]

The present study presents a look at sustainability from the perspective of one of principles of corporate governance, compliance, using the Brazilian scenario as context. Brazil is experiencing a period when corruption and lack of conformity to laws governing good conduct and ethics are common issues in meetings of councils, boards, and partners, and this extends to society at large. It is therefore pertinent to discuss how conformity and compliance with regulatory standards expressed in bylaws, internal regulations, and the country’s legal institutions can help an organization to be economically viable, socially fair, and environmentally correct. The methodology adopted is qualitative, using empirical research conducted at the Siemens corporation. The research findings show that the search for better compliance practices at Siemens, combined with awareness and acceptance of past mistakes, can be transformed into the understanding and desire to build a new history. This process legitimates social objects towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Corporate Governance, Compliance, Sustainability.