Interface between operations and environment areas: case studies on the contact points and potential conflicts

Abstract

This research aims to identify how contact points between operations and environment areas have been happening in manufacturing companies, and also identify how any conflicts arising during that interaction have been mediated. The case study was composed by large manufacturing companies located in São Paulo state. The analysis was conducted using the cross case methodology, observing the companies’ organizational structure aspects of authority, activity and communication. The results show that the organizations studied explore all contacts points listed in the literature, with particular attention to manufacturing process modification activity, since there are formal procedures that require the approval of the environmental area. As for conflicts, none were highlighted by the companies studied, as these maintain collaborative or integrative relationships between operations and environment areas. Thus, it is concluded that the environmental maturity stage of the companies studied tends to be a potential factor in the absence of conflicts between areas, as well as the presence of all contact points raised.

Keywords:
Operations management; Environmental management; Organizational structure; Integration