Analyzing the Logistics of the Brazilian Book and Teaching Material Program: a sociotechnical strategy to inform optimization

Abstract

The National Book and Teaching Material Program, formulated and executed by the Brazilian Ministry of Education and the National Education Development Fund, aims to ensure that students and teachers in Brazilian public schools have the constitutional right to access teaching materials. The program's logistics are complex, requiring the timely and cost-effective delivery of thousands of tons of teaching materials to public schools across thousands of Brazilian municipalities. A sociotechnical analysis is essential to comprehend the logistics challenges of such a program, as it enables considering social, normative, and technical aspects in a comprehensive and integrated manner. This article presents a qualitative analysis of the program logistics by applying different sociotechnical artifacts. The findings reveal a complex problem involving diverse processes and stakeholders who must adhere to several norms, adopt different computer systems, and rely on a direct and intense communication culture. Identifying key attention points and acknowledging the unique Brazilian context, the article argues that a sociotechnical perspective is crucial for understanding the problem's complexity and informing the design of solutions to optimize the program’s logistics.