A Convergência entre a Corporate Governance e a Corporate Responsability no panorama da sociedade do século XXI

: a resistência inútil a uma mudança de paradigma inevitável

Abstract

The present dissertation intends, concisely and with the possible objectivity, to suggest that the current civil society, driven by a generation that lives with intensity the social inequalities, the climate urgency, the scarcity of resources, the threat to animal life, etc. (causes that come together in the theme of corporate social and environmental responsibility), has been pressuring the established powers for the indispensability of revisiting the structuring principles of Corporate Governance and Corporate Responsibility. It should be said, at the outset, that this subject will always be the target of endless discussions, because it is still barely unanimously developed, based on several vague and undetermined concepts, subjectively interpreted according to political ideals. Even so, it seems possible to consider that there is, if not a perfect solution, a less unbalanced one than the one that the socioeconomic system that encompasses us has presented us in recent years. In this sense, this paper seeks to demonstrate, through a logical intersection between Law and Management (Economics), how such a paradigm shift could occur, considering the historical, social and economic context of recent years, but also paying attention to the natural (and perceived) progress of the general mentality. Without prejudice to this change being defended here as positive, it should be emphasized that we are not advocating excesses regarding the new way of proceeding. This would be to distort sustainability itself by creating economic distortions which would generate poverty and precariousness and which would lead, in particular, to a limitation of the private autonomy which is assumed to be desirable, considered positive for the economy, capable not only of generating wealth but also of encouraging the progress of civil society. However, it seems unreasonable to us (and this is the idea we wish to get across here) to believe that the scenario of the last few years will be sustainable for much longer, not only because the increase in the number of literate people has led to a growing concern with the issues discussed below, but also (and consequently) because companies will not succeed if they neglect them. Having said this, we do understand the need to redefine objectives, to optimize processes, to make commitments, to take more seriously the influence that companies have in the local (or even global) communities where they operate, in order to achieve more and better solutions, preferably "win-win" solutions for shareholders, stakeholders and, as much as possible, for the public interest itself.

Date of Award	29 Jan 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ana da Paz Ferreira da Câmara Perestrelo de Oliveira (Supervisor)