Desnaturalizando a lógica da “eficiência” nas práticas de gestão das pessoas na construção civil

Abstract

This research presents a critical debate on management practices in the construction sector, which have incorporated an instrumental rationality, defined here as the "logic of efficiency." This logic has been adopted as a performance metric tied to the pursuit of maximum profitability, disregarding other equally important social and environmental aspects. Efficiency is a culturally constructed notion, influenced by ideologies that shaped the development of administrative thought, rooted in competitive individualism and the notion of meritocracy. The logic of efficiency was analyzed within the practices of "People Management," revealed through observations of construction sites and statements from professionals, managers, and entrepreneurs in the sector. The findings confirmed the thesis that management practices contribute to intensifying social inequalities and fostering forms of discrimination and exclusion. The research was guided by the onto-epistemology of Practice Theories (PT), adopting a post-humanist approach that interprets management as a collective construction, encompassing both human and non-human agency. Among the findings, I identified and characterized the practices that form the fabric of People Management, as well as their social impacts. I introduced the notion of "expanded efficiency," aligned with the principles of Responsible Management. Replacing a conventional perspective requires a paradigm shift, which involves embracing diverse contributions and ethical approaches that have been marginalized over time, paving the way for a new management framework based on the concept of "possible profit."