Management of a Space for Speech and Analysis of the Conditions for the Production of Versions regarding a Corporate Crime: the Case of the Vale S/A B1 Dam Failure in Brumadinho (MG)

Alves, Elizeu Barroso

doi:10.1590/1984-92302023v30n0005EN

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Article • Organ. Soc. 30 (104) • Jan-Mar 2023 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-92302023v30n0005EN copy

Management of a Space for Speech and Analysis of the Conditions for the Production of Versions regarding a Corporate Crime: the Case of the Vale S/A B1 Dam Failure in Brumadinho (MG)

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

This paper analyzes how the construction occurred of the conditions for the production of versions of the corporate crime related to the Vale S/A dam failure in Brumadinho (MG) based on an analysis of the final report of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry of the Chamber of Deputies (CPI Bruma). This study provides a specific contribution by presenting corporate crime as a crime legitimized by management, in which the dynamic of organizations operated under its logic influences the criminal practices as it exerts pressure for economic results at any cost. Thus, our study aimed to analyze how the construction occurred of the conditions for the production of versions regarding the corporate crime and the discursive dynamic around the corporate crime of Vale S/A in Brumadinho (MG), in the CPI Bruma. Methodologically, we sought to use documental research in the investigative process and the final report of the CPI Bruma, created specifically to investigate the failure of the B1 dam at the Córrego do Feijão mine, applying discourse analysis from a habermasian perspective, seeking to demonstrate that communicate practices may be intentionally distorted to favor one group to the detriment of another. With this, we analyzed the management of the space for speech in the CPI, through the habermasian lens, the multiple discourses, under the premises of the validity intentions of the act of speech, and its communicative distortions. We provide indications from the CPI Bruma report that suggest that the failure of the B1 dam at the Córrego do Feijão mine was not an accident, but occurred because of the negligence of Vale S/A, which, in pursuing financial success, chose to prioritize economic results and ignore the imminent danger of failure.

corporate crime; management; mining-dependence


Denial of responsibility	For those involved, committing the criminal act would be the only possibility, since it consists of one of the practices of the sector. This can be illustrated with the cases of companies that justify their actions by alleging that this type of practice is constituted in the typical procedure of the segment and not a choice.
Damage denial	The conviction that there were no victims or direct loss to people, or even that there was no intention to cause damage.
Victim denial	Besides not assuming that their criminal practices caused damage to the victims, the criminal actors allege that they deserved the effects since they somehow chose to participate by accepting to work in those companies.
Social considerations	These put the criminal practice on the same level as others to show that there are worse practices.
Appeal to higher loyalties	The argument is that the criminal practice occurred to fulfill the values of superiors or to serve the logic of the system, with a view to a higher cause or even to fulfill the determination of a hierarchical superior.
Equilibrium metaphor	This involves the right to carry out activities considered to be outside the legal order, for example, “when the employees revel in the past glory of an organization to justify the current anti-ethical behavior.

Step	Action
1st step	Characterization of the constitution of the CPI
2nd step	Characterization of the speakers in the CPA in interest groups
3rd step	Characterization and analysis of the CPI as a public space and its management as a space for speech
4th step	Analysis of the production of the versions regarding the corporate crime and the discursive strategies
5th step	Analysis of the discursive distortion and use of the public space for speech in the production of versions regarding the crime

Validity requirement of the act of speech	Possibility of questioning	Examples
Truth (objective world)	Is what’s being said true?	“We’re having financial problems and have to lay people off.”
Sincerity (subjective world)	Is what’s being said sincere?	“I’m worried about your situation...”
Correctness (normative world)	Is what’s being said legitimate or morally valid?	“However, we’re going to lay people off in the fairest way possible and according to the law.”
Intelligibility	Is what’s being said intelligible?	“Has everyone understood the terms well?”

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[1] Associate Editor: Cintia Rodrigues

Authorship

Elizeu Barroso Alves

PhD in Administration from Universidade Positivo. Researcher of the Group for Research on Management Practices in the Organizational Context (PEGO-UNINTER). Professor at the Uninter International University Center. Visiting professor at the School of Public Administration – Curitiba City. His research interests are Rationalities, Solidary Economy Ventures, Pragmatics of Language, Egress Training in Administration, Corporate Crimes, Accountability, Compliance, Public Management, Marketing, and Innovation in Organizations. E-mail: elizeu.balves@hotmail.com