A comparative analysis ISO 14000 performance in Taiwan and China

Abstract

ISO 14000 arose out of the push towards effective implementation of environmental policies among developed nations in recent years. To help traditional industries remain competitive, it encourages businesses to examine their operations to find ways to prevent pollution and help the environment. It also defines a basic set of common international standards that eliminate invisible technical obstacles to international trade and commerce caused by regional and cultural differences in each country’s environmental management standards. For this study, we began by collecting information and literature on the development of the traditional industries in Taiwan and China (Note. In this study, Chinese traditional industries refer to those operated in China by Taiwanese businessmen.). A questionnaire was then designed for businesses in the traditional industry that passed ISO 14000 certification to determine how they fared and the collected data was analyzed using the Performance Evaluation Matrix. According to the modified version of the performance evaluation matrix proposed by D. M. Lambert and A. Sharma, developed by Hung and Huang et al., two or more indices may be substituted into the performance matrix in order to determine the level of satisfaction and importance associated with the implementation of ISO 14000. A performance matrix may also be defined as the introduction of a standardized system to determine a business’ environmental performance. By examining where a task places in terms of satisfaction and importance within the performance matrix, a manager may assess its effectiveness and draw up performance improvement measures for the implemented system. Finally, tasks that fall into the “Inappropriate Performance Zone” are expanded to two levels using Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to determine the critical tasks. Through these analyses, this study hopes to identify the optimal measures for improving business environmental performance and establish the foundations of a sustainable business. These will serve as a useful guide for businesses seeking to enhance their corporate image through ISO 14000.