Corporate Responsibility Cluster Potential in a Rainforest Region - Autoparts Made of Natural Fibers in Brazil

Abstract

Researchers on cluster development have demonstrated that this might be a mechanism to generate linkages between responsible business practices and regional sustainability. Thus, cluster arrangements may be an alternative to scale up corporate responsibility from micro to macro level.Nevertheless, discussions about Corporate Responsibility Clusters (CRC) have been normally limited to regions where there is already an industrial structure. This investigation proposes the potential of CRC to be verified in a non-industrialised region, more specifically, in a rainforest region. In order to investigate the chances of cluster development in a rainforest area, a case study was developed. A set of organisations were chosen to provide information about the theme autoparts made of natural fibers coming from Parà ?à ¡ state in Amazon Region, North of BrazilThe investigation aimed at identifying key-factors, which can exert an influence on grouping of organisations of future CRC arrangements in a rainforest region. The results showed that the grouping of organisations can be influenced by productivity and legitimacy factors as proposed by the theory of CRC. In addition, it were identified other specific regional and sectorial factors that can influence the partnerships. In Parà ?à ¡, these particular factors are: development of appropriate technology, jobs and income generation, logistics cost reduction, and trend in the auto industry to use more natural fibers. Further researchers on this theme are recommended to verify if only the key-factors legitimacy and productivity pointed out by CRC are confirmed or where some of the identified regional and sectorial specific factors might be confirmed.