AGRI CIRCULAR-PM: uma ferramenta orientada à transição para economia circular no agronegócio por meio da gestão de projetos

Abstract

The circular economy is an economic model that seeks to ensure economic, environmental and social sustainability through practices in the efficient use of resources in all phases of the value chain and to ensure regeneration and biodiversity in ecosystems. The main contribution of this research is the development of the Technical Technological Product (PTT), AGRI CIRCULAR-PM® software, which constitutes a tool oriented to the transition to the circular economy in agribusiness through project management. The study contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the integration of the areas of project management, circular economy, and agribusiness, fostering dialogue between these fields and opening new research perspectives. The general objective guiding this research is to study how project management can guide the transition to a circular economy in agribusiness. This thesis consists of 3 studies and a PTT. The first study contributes by identifying the design factors for the circular economy in agribusiness, carried out through a systematic literature review (SLR), with a sample of 70 studies that met the research scope. Three design factors were identified: strategy and planning; integration; and, innovation and technologies 4.0. The second study proposed a theoretical model integrating project management, circular economy and agribusiness, carried out through a Delphi method panel, with the participation of 20 experts with experience in: project management, circular economy, sustainability, agribusiness and agriculture. As a final result, a conceptual framework was developed that serves as a guide for the principles of the circular economy to be disseminated in agribusiness through project management. The third study empirically analyzed the theoretical model of integration between project management, circular economy and agribusiness, carried out through semi-structured interviews with 18 professionals with experience in agribusiness, and data analysis procedures through content analysis. The PTT, AGRI CIRCULAR-PM®, is a software, which can also serve as a self-assessment tool, developed in JavaScript®, HTML® and CSS® with the objective of guiding the transition to the circular economy in agribusiness through project management. Composed of 92 questions with binary answers, “yes” or “no”, organized into six blocks: diagnosis; initiation; planning; execution; monitoring and control; and closure. The software development followed a rigorous methodological approach, based on the three studies of the thesis. The validation of the software involved pilot testing with seven selected users, whose feedback was incorporated to improve the functionality and usability of the product. The software is registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), protecting the intellectual property of the software, ensuring recognition of its innovation, and is available, with access via the web. AGRI CIRCULAR-PM® offers a new practical solution to the sustainability challenges in agribusiness, contributing to its economic, social and environmental sustainability, and is expected to become an important resource for professionals and companies in the sector.