Factors Influencing Brazilian sugar and ethanol refineries’ failure

Purpose: This study aims to examine the dimensions of organisational failure in the Brazilian sugarcane and ethanol refineries, as reported in judicial recovery plans.Design/methodology/approach: This paper follows a qualitative, inductive approach that uses content analysis to examine the details of recovery plans. Besides, a cause-and-effect relationship diagram is proposed, making it possible to identify the interconnections between the identified variables.Findings: There is evidence that organisational failures are not a linear outcome. Organisational failures are complex and occur because of several factors, often interdependent and operating at different levels. Research implications: Organisational failures basically have three interrelated levels: the macro-level (external environment); the meso-level (organisational environment); and the micro-level (associated with the decision-maker). The relationship between these levels is not trivial and involves coordinated research efforts.Practical implications: Organisations must consider all types of failure levels when developing business reorganisation plans. Reorganisation plans are more than a formal document to achieve judicial recovery, as they should incorporate strategic factors. Social implications: Failures are a regularity in organisations’ day-to-day. Understanding failure’s sources is vital to design firms’ strategies and public policies.Originality/value: The study of organisational failure involves the analysis of complex and multidimensional phenomena. Judicial recovery plans are the means for companies to get a second chance. To that end, this article addresses the sources of organisational failures through the lens of judicial plans.