Sustainable Innovation Maturity in the Cosmetics Industry: An Item Response Theory-Based Analysis

Authors

  • Rita de Cássia Moreschi Dória Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil. image/svg+xml
  • Syntia Lemos Cotrim Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil. image/svg+xml
  • George Lucas Moraes Pezzott Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil. image/svg+xml
  • Vitor Hugo dos Santos Filho Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil. image/svg+xml
  • Pedro Vieira Souza Santos Department of Production Engineering, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco , (UNIVASF), Petrolina, PE, Brazil. image/svg+xml
  • José Wendel dos Santos Department of Intellectual Property Science, Universidade Federal de Sergipe , São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil. image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-2724202600025059

Keywords:

ESG, cosmetics industry, maturity, latent structure, sustainable innovation, organizational maturity

Abstract

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities can be understood as a commitment to the sustainability agenda, representing responsible business practices. In this context, the research seeks to address the following question: how are the levels of sustainable innovation maturity structured in the cosmetics industry, and what is the differentiating role of ESG practices in this process? Accordingly, this study aimed to analyze sustainable innovation maturity in cosmetics industry firms, identifying its latent structure, the distribution of maturity levels, and the differentiating role of the practices under analysis. To ensure clarity and systematization of the methodological procedure adopted, the study was structured into six sequential phases, encompassing the definition of the research design, data collection and treatment procedures, computational procedures, and the interpretation of results. The findings demonstrate that the advancement of sustainable innovation in the sector depends less on the isolated adoption of specific practices and more on the strategic integration of sustainability, technological innovation, and ESG governance. Practices related to ESG governance, the development of green technologies, and the adoption of recycled or renewable inputs exhibited greater discriminatory power, emerging as central elements in differentiating firms at more advanced levels of maturity.

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Author Biographies

Rita de Cássia Moreschi Dória, Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil.

Holds a degree in Production Engineering from the State University of Maringá (2022). Master's degree in Production Engineering from the State University of Maringá.

Syntia Lemos Cotrim, Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil.

Graduated in Production Engineering (2011) from the State University of Maringá. Participated in the internship scholarship program offered by the State University of Maringá, in the Department of Production Engineering in the area of ​​Ergonomics. Acquired practical experience in the area of ​​Production Engineering through an internship at 3W Lamfer, part of the FA Maringá Group, where she worked in the Production Planning and Control sector, and at Cocamar Agroindustrial Cooperative, where she worked in the Product Development and Training sectors. Among the most relevant activities, she participated in the implementation of the UEP software and monitored the modernization project of the yarn industry. She worked as a Process Engineer at Dusul Indústria Alimentícia. She holds a Master's degree in Urban Engineering from the Department of Civil Engineering at the State University of Maringá. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the postgraduate program in Chemical Engineering at the State University of Maringá. Permanent member of the Postgraduate Program in Production Engineering.

George Lucas Moraes Pezzott, Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil.

He holds a doctorate from the Interinstitutional Graduate Program in Statistics (PIPGES - USP/UFSCar), a master's degree in Statistics from the Federal University of São Carlos (PPGEST-UFSCar), and a bachelor's degree in Statistics from the State University of Maringá (UEM). He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the State University of Maringá (UEM), deputy coordinator of the Undergraduate Program in Statistics at UEM, and a permanent professor in the Graduate Program in Production Engineering (PGP-UEM). He has experience in the areas of Probability and Statistical Inference with an emphasis on Discrete Probabilistic Models, mainly working on inferences about population size in capture-recapture models.

Vitor Hugo dos Santos Filho, Universidade Estadual de Maringá , Paraná, Brazil.

Adjunct Professor of Higher Education at the State University of Maringá (UEM), Goioerê Regional Campus (CRG), since October 2025, working in the Department of Textile Engineering, in the Textile Engineering and Production Engineering courses. PhD in Production Engineering (2024) and Master's in Production Engineering (2019) from the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), Ponta Grossa Campus. Graduated in Production Engineering from the State University of Minas Gerais (UEMG - 2016), Passos Campus. He holds a specialization in Production and Quality Management from the Centro Universitário Única (UNIUNICA - 2024) and in Innovative Teaching Methodologies from the Faculdade de Telêmaco Borba (FATEB - 2019). His research focuses on industry in the areas of Digital Risk Management, Human Work Management, Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0, and Industry 5.0.

Pedro Vieira Souza Santos, Department of Production Engineering, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco , (UNIVASF), Petrolina, PE, Brazil.

He holds a Master's degree in Production Engineering (UFPE). He is a specialist in Teaching in Vocational and Technological Education (IFPE). He graduated in Production Engineering (UNIVASF). He is an adjunct professor in DUT Mesures Physiques (IUT Blois/Université François-Rabelais). He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics (IBRA/MG). He is a Technician in Electromechanics (SENAI/PE - 2010). He works as a reviewer for national and international journals in the areas of Engineering and related fields. His areas of interest include: Lean Manufacturing, Production Process Optimization, and Production Engineering Education. He works as a Professor for the State Department of Education of Pernambuco.

José Wendel dos Santos, Department of Intellectual Property Science, Universidade Federal de Sergipe , São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.

Master's degree in Intellectual Property Science and Bachelor's degree in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS). Technician in Occupational Safety from the Federal Institute of Sergipe (IFS). Currently a doctoral candidate in Intellectual Property Science at UFS. Has worked on research projects linked to the Institutional Program for Scientific Initiation (PIBIC) and the Program for Initiation in Technological Development and Innovation (PIBITI), both at UFS. Received scholarships from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Foundation for Support of Research and Technological Innovation of the State of Sergipe (FAPITEC/SE). Was a member of the Production Engineering Research Group (GPEP/UFS). Has national and international publications, with award-winning works at scientific events. Acts as a reviewer for journals and organizer of academic events. Has experience in the field of Production Engineering, with an emphasis on occupational biomechanics, health and safety at work. Conducts research in the area of ​​Intellectual Property, focusing on patent data mining and modeling technological trends in emerging markets.

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Published

2026-07-29

How to Cite

Moreschi Dória, R. de C., Lemos Cotrim, S., Moraes Pezzott, G. L., dos Santos Filho, V. H., Souza Santos, P. V., & dos Santos, J. W. (2026). Sustainable Innovation Maturity in the Cosmetics Industry: An Item Response Theory-Based Analysis. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 21(2), 99–109. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-2724202600025059

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Rita de Cássia Moreschi Dória, Syntia Lemos Cotrim, George Lucas Moraes Pezzott, Vitor Hugo dos Santos Filho, Pedro Vieira Souza Santos, José Wendel dos Santos

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

 

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