Benefits of ERP Information Systems in ESG Management Within Organizations
摘要
In recent decades, there has been an intensification of concerns related to social and environmental pressures in the business sphere. Environmental responsibility, social justice, and ethical governance (ESG) have taken the lead in corporate strategies, becoming crucial for organizational prosperity. The relevance of Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) information systems is well-known in operations management literature, as they contribute to store, harmonize and provide a fast access to a wide range of business processes information and data, from production to final customer service. In this context, the present study proposes a holistic analysis about the feasibility of ERP systems to promote ESG management into organizational reality. To achieve this goal, the research seeks to answer the following question: “How can ERP information systems support the corporate governance, environmental and social management?” The research was unfolded in three steps: literature review, data collection for survey with 13 companies, and documentary analysis of real cases. The results affirmed the contribution of integrated management systems to the enhancement of ESG in organizations. Additionally, opportunities for further exploration in the social and governance dimensions were pointed out, which have been limitedly explored so far in literature and according with the survey results. In general, there is a recognized need for a comprehensive approach that involves collaboration among different stakeholders, continuous monitoring, and company adaptation to changes in ESG expectations. Finally, opportunities to integrate artificial intelligence into this context are highlighted aiming to enhance the efficacy of the ERP+ESG integration process.