Impactos da pandemia de COVID-19 nas exportações do setor moveleiro de Bento Gonçalves

Abstract

Humanity has been challenged since its beginning, either by political and economic disputes or by threats from viruses and bacteria that have plagued it throughout its history. Such challenges reflect how society is today. Since the emergence of the coronavirus in December 2019, many lives have been lost, social and economic conditions have worsened worldwide, especially in Brazil, where sectors and markets have been affected. In view of the factual reality experienced, it is relevant to understand how the furniture sector in Bento Gonçalves region is facing such pandemic scenario regarding to the exports. In this context, the present study aims to identify and analyse the main impacts on exports of the furniture sector in the named area as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can serve as a future learning on how the sector faced the challenges from 2020, in addition to obstacles it is still facing. In order to accomplish this objective, both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were applied, respectively in exploratory and descriptive levels, through case study and survey strategies. Based on the collected data and its proper analysis, the results confirm that several challenges and difficulties were faced by the sector in the first months after the onset of the disease, given the measures imposed to fight against it. However, at the same time, it was found that the sector managed to transform this unique moment in an opportunity for innovation and there are indicators of its gradual recovering. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]