Trabalho institucional de padronização e certificação da cachaça de alambique: uma abordagem qualitativa

Abstract

This thesis presents an investigation into the institutional work of standardization and certification of alambique cachaça over the past 40 years, focusing on the impact of this work on the strategic practices of distilleries located in the State of Minas Gerais. The specific objectives of the thesis were: a) to explore the historical aspects of the institutional work of standardization and certification, highlighting its particularities and normative, regulatory, and sociocultural orientations; b) to investigate the effects of this institutional work on the production and market strategies of alambique cachaça distilleries; and c) to map and analyze the reactions of micro-distilleries to the impact of this institutional work. To achieve these objectives, a qualitative and descriptive research was conducted, using the triangulation of interviews and documentary research, analyzed from the perspective of thematic content analysis. The results were presented in three articles, each addressing one of the specific objectives. Regarding the first objective, it was identified that, through the collaboration between producers, state entities, and associations in Minas Gerais, and later on a national level, there was an effort to organize the cachaça sector by establishing legal institutions and rules to address challenges such as informality and lack of professionalism. This effort culminated in the creation of standards and certifications for alambique cachaça. As for the second objective, it was found that the institutions responsible for standardization and certification directly interfere with the strategic production and market practices of alambique distilleries. Producers who choose to adhere to these standards must adopt productive and commercial strategic practices in accordance with the requirements of the standardization and certification institutions. Finally, concerning the last objective, it was possible to identify that resistance to institutional work still exists, particularly in relation to the perpetuation of informality in the field. These resistances manifest through the re-signification of practices, allowing the informal production and trade of cachaça to remain present in the market.