Human Capital Management Assessed in the Corporate Sustainability Index of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3): a Descriptive Study

Purpose: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria have gained strategic relevance in the contemporary corporate landscape. This study analyzes the Human Capital dimension of companies listed in the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) of B3 between 2021 and 2023, investigating its correlation with overall performance in the index and implications for organizational management. Methodology: This is a descriptive study based on the analysis of public data from ISE B3, comprising 252 participations across the annual cycles of 2021, 2022, and 2023. Findings: The results show an increase in the number of participating companies (from 73 in 2021 to 96 in 2023) and a positive trend in the average indicators of the Human Capital dimension. A significant correlation was observed between the ISE Score and Human Capital indicators (r = 0.75; p < 0.01), indicating that companies with greater investment in employee health, well-being, diversity, and training tend to achieve higher overall sustainability performance. Practical implications: The appreciation of human capital emerges as a key element for the sustainable success of companies listed in the ISE B3. Such investments contribute to corporate innovation, competitiveness, and reputation, positioning companies more robustly in the face of the challenges posed by the new economy and the growing demand for sustainable and inclusive business models. Originality: Despite its relevance to corporate management, the Human Capital dimension of the ISE B3 Index has not been previously studied.