Resumo

Sustainability-oriented innovation presents itself as a new driver for companies seeking to remain competitive and profitable, while meeting the legal requirements of governments that base their rules on sustainability. Innovation permeates the activities of software companies as well as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) given the operational characteristics of the services provided by these companies, and the growing worldwide concern about environmental impacts and scarcity of resources drives them to adopt sustainable strategies.

In this study it was found that Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (SOI) was strategic in software and ICT, generating new sustainable businesses, creating new forms of intercompany relationships, and enabling carbon and water footprint reduction measured, and mitigation actions are taken to keep these indicators within the targets.

Innovation; Sustainability in Software Companies; Sustainable Aspects in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA); Environmental and Economic Aspects in the LCA of Infrastructure and Manufacturing (hardware/devices/communication); Environmental, Economic Aspects in the Software/Application LCA; Sustainable Innovation in ICT.

Addressing the theme of sustainability-oriented innovation in Software and Information and Communication Technologies companies, the content of websites was considered as the unit of analysis using an exploratory method based on documental research that provides the disclosure of facts and derived analysis. The empirical research that supports this study was carried out from September 2018 to June 2019, collecting the information on innovation, operation and sustainability made available on the companies' websites, electronic questionnaires sent to the representatives of these companies.

In a comprehensive way, software companies that also provide Information and Communication Technology services are seen as innovative companies, as they present in their portfolio services supported by technological and disruptive innovations that combine to a greater degree the environmental and economic aspect of sustainability – carbon footprint, energy efficiency and water consumption, and to a lesser extent the social aspect – actions aimed at employees. It was also identified that as a result of the adoption of SOI, new businesses and projects were generated sustainable development focus

It was also identified that as a result of the adoption of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation by these companies, new businesses were generated (cloud computing, communication and mobility, virtual reality, and immersive experiences) and a range of new projects under development aggregate, from conception, sustainability guidelines, and are measured by product and / or service life cycle analysis.

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