Effects of pressures from external agents on the sustainability of the timber supply chain in the Brazilian Amazon

Sustainability in global supply chains has gained prominence in organizations, especially in operations with potential for environmental degradation. However, the dimensions related to pressures are still an open field for research. The study analyzes how socio-environmental practices are implemented in global supply chains under external pressures. It was conducted in two complementary stages: first, a quantitative survey using questionnaires applied to all global timber companies in Pará, with Exploratory Factor Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression; second, a qualitative stage involving interviews with key informants from government, business associations, and customers. Pressure from customers and the government is decisive in the adoption of social and environmental practices. The social dimension shows better results in operational performance. Customer pressure is linked to certification requirements and the origin of the wood and improves government pressure to control illegal practices. Five factors explain 80.395% of the data. They reflect respect for labor rights, restructuring of production processes to mitigate environmental impacts, waste disposal, dialogue with communities, and investments in professional training. Large vertically integrated companies respond to pressures through internal strategies. The high level of isomorphism indicates a standardization of sustainable practices, reinforced by regulatory and market requirements. Our study contributes to the literature by analyzing the challenges of implementing social and environmental practices and by advancing the dimension of social practices, which has not yet been sufficiently discussed in the literature.