Impact of technological innovations on the competitiveness and labor relationships in sugar and alcohol Plants

Abstract

It has been the objective of this study to identify the contributions of technological innovation for competitiveness and its impact on labor relations in the sugar and alcohol mills located in the northwest of Paraná state. In relation to the methodological procedures, this research is a descriptive, qualitative, and cross-section one. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers involved in the production process. The theoretical framework contemplated a review of the literature on technological innovation, competitiveness, and labor relations. The results showed that the main contribution of technological innovation for the competitiveness of the mills is to reduce costs. Consequently, there is a higher profitability due to an increased productivity achieved through the optimization of raw material. With respect to labor relations, the main impacts are observed in the agricultural and industrial areas, where mechanized harvesting of sugarcane and automation of manufacturing processes for sugar and alcohol, respectively, allow eliminations and providing of working posts besides relocation of staff.