Consumo sustentável e inovação social: explorando relações teóricas e empíricas.

Abstract

This master thesis aimed to identify the elements of social innovation that contribute to the promotion of sustainable consumption. To this end, we made three articles. The first analyzed the thematic evolution of sustainable consumption from 1999 to 2019, through a bibliometric study. The analysis based on a citation approach using CitNetExplorer software. The results point to the inherent complexity of the theme that involves economic, technological, political, social, psychological and environmental aspects. The publications unanimously agree on the need to change current consumption patterns and levels and to engage diverse stakeholders in participatory processes and co-creation. The research advances in the understanding of sustainable consumption, expanding the scope to observe macro and structural factors that affect consumption practices. From the gap found in the literature on the relationship between sustainable consumption and social innovation, the second article validated a framework with the elements of social innovation that can contribute to the promotion of sustainable consumption. Exploratory research was conducted, with the qualitative approach, through the Focus Group technique with specialists. The results indicated the following dimensions that make up the elements of the relationship between the themes: Actors, Innovation, Cultural and Social Change and Social Transformation, as well as their respective analysis categories. Finally, the third article conducted the empirical verification of the identified elements of social innovation that can contribute to the promotion of sustainable consumption, based on the case study of the social currency operated by Banco Palmas. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, non-participant observation and documentary analysis of secondary data, allowing data triangulation. This study was relevant because it studies the contributions of the Community Banks and the social currencies that present alternatives that can contribute to the resolution of social problems, bringing transversal gains to the community where it is inserted, especially to low-income populations. Understanding social innovation from the perspective of sustainable consumption highlights the importance of analyzing new organizational formats characterized by innovative, inclusive and sustainable structures.