Sustainable operations management

: the case study of Savana

Abstract

Sustainability is a concept that has assumed a central role in the business context. The need to respond to new market trends has driven companies to restructure their strategies, incorporating sustainability principles into operations management. In this sense, sustainable operations management practices are developed to establish a balance between the environmental, social and economic dimensions, while ensuring corporate competitiveness. This research seeks to analyse how sustainability principles are integrated into strategic operations decisions at Savana, a Portuguese company operating in the footwear industry. To identify the main sustainability practices applied and the emerging challenges faced in this process, a predominantly qualitative methodology was adopted, complemented by interviews with different company employees. The analysis of the results allows to understand how the transition to a circular economy model was implemented by the company, highlighting initiatives such as the use of recycled materials, the optimization of production processes and the participation in projects with a high innovative component. It also identifies key barriers, such as supplier shortages and the high associated costs. In summary, this study aggregates and offers valuable insights for companies that seek, like Savana, to integrate sustainability into their processes and operations, minimising environmental impacts and ensuring a leading position in the market.

Date of Award	2 Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Jorge Julião (Supervisor)