Environmental Management System Standards Research Articles

Standardized environmental management systems as an internal management tool

In a principal-agent model we analyze the firm's decision to adopt an informal or a standardized environmental management system (EMS). Our results are consistent with empirical evidence in several respects. A standardized EMS increases the internal control at the cost of introducing some degree of rigidity that entails an endogenous setup cost. Standardized systems are more prone to be adopted by big and well established firms and under tougher environmental policies. Firms with standardized EMS tend to devote more effort to abatement although this effort results in lower pollution only if public incentives are strong enough, suggesting a complementarity relationship between standardized EMS and public policies. Emission charges have both a marginal effect on abatement and a qualitative effect on the adoption decision that may induce a conflict between private and public interests. As a result of the combination of these two effects it can be optimal for the government to distort the tax in a specific way in order to push the firm to choose the socially optimal EMS. The introduction of standardized systems can result in win-win situations where firms, society and the environment get better off.

Exploring the dissemination of environmental certifications in high and low polluting industries

Abstract The adoption of Environmental Management Systems standards such as ISO 14001 and EMAS has gained substantial momentum in the last decade. Nevertheless, the heterogeneous dissemination of these standards across various geographic areas and sectors of activities raises questions about their raison d’etre and underlying motivations. Although the main drivers and impacts of standards to adopt Environmental Management Systems, as well as their dissemination have been widely analyzed in the literature, the diffusion of these environmental certifications according to the environmental impact of their sectors has been overlooked. As a contribution to fulfill this gap, this article aims at analyzing the diffusion of EMAS across various sectors of activity of the European Union's member states, depending on their environmental impact. More specifically, the paper analyzes (1) whether there is a higher density of environmental certifications in sectors with the greatest impact on the environment (i.e. high polluting industries), (2) if this certification intensity is homogeneous between European member states. Among other issues, the findings confirm that the intensity of environmental certifications is higher in sectors with the greatest environmental impact, although those intensities are significantly different from one member state to another. The implications for public policy makers as well as for other stakeholders are discussed.

English

The role of the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Manager has evolved over the last two decades. For many companies, the focus of the EHS Manager is shifting from solely a regulatory compliance and waste treatment or waste disposal role to incorporating a green engineering and pollution prevention approach when solving environmental problems. It is critical for the EHS Manager to have a strong understanding of Environmental Management Systems (EMS), regulatory requirements, and ISO standards pertaining to environment, health, and safety. However, having the ability to go beyond this realm and collaborate with manufacturing personnel to determine opportunities for cost savings as it pertains to environmental reductions is crucial. Reducing environmental impacts often has a direct relationship with reducing impacts on the health and safety of the organization’s personnel as well. This paper will focus on case studies surrounding projects where the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) has worked with companies where pollution prevention is becoming a focus of the EHS Manager’s role. The effectiveness of this approach versus waste treatment or management solutions will be quantified by showing both the environmental and cost savings.

EMAS and ISO 14001 in the German industry – complements or substitutes?

Abstract The two environmental management system (EMS) standards EMAS and ISO 14001 have been available in Europe for the last 15 years. ISO 14001 has been taken up at a much larger scale but many firms in the German automotive and engineering industry have certified their EMSs according to both standards. Two research questions are addressed: (i) What explains why companies adopt both EMAS and ISO 14001? (ii) Are EMAS and ISO 14001 complements or substitutes? Based on 21 interviews with industrial and institutional representatives, this study finds that, first, the two standards are adopted for completely different reasons: while ISO 14001 is often done as a response to external pressure, EMAS tends to be motivated internally. Second, it is argued that EMAS and ISO 14001 are likely in a situation of direct competition at present which may well turn into complementarity in the future.

Standardized Environmental Management Systems as an Internal Management Tool

We build a principal-agent model to analyze the firm's decision to adopt an environmental management system (EMS) and the EMS type, either informal (I) or standardized (S), such as ISO 14001. Our results are consistent with empirical evidence in several respects. A standardized EMS increases the internal control of the firm at the cost of introducing some degree of rigidity that entails an endogenous setup cost. Standardized systems are more prone to be adopted by big and well established firms and under tougher environmental policies. S-adopting firms, on average, devote more effort to abatement although this effort results in lower pollution only if public incentives are strong enough, suggesting a complementarity relationship between standardized EMS and public policies. Emission charges have both a marginal effect on abatement and a qualitative effect on the firm's adoption decision that may induce a conflict between firm's and society's interests. The introduction of standardized systems can result in win-win situations where firms, society and the environment get better off.

Integration of standardized environmental and quality management systems audits

In the last few years, many organizations have chosen to implement standardized Management Systems (MSs), such as the ones based on ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. However, few studies exist on how firms carry out the process of auditing these MSs. Our goal is to study how companies with more than one standardized MSs conduct the audits and to which extent they integrate the audit elements in order to benefit from the advantages of having a sole, integrated audit system. We provide four case studies and confirm the idea that firms with more than one MS integrate their audits. However, the degree and specific characteristics of this integration vary in the different companies analyzed. This paper contains one of the first qualitative empirical studies regarding the integration of MSs audits. The study provides an original contribution to the understanding of whether and how the four case study organizations have integrated certain aspects of the audit systems, for instance, the human resources, time, and audit inputs and outputs.

Standards Column

ABSTRACT In this issue we will look at the environmental management system and related standards developed by ISO TC 207.

Determinants of EMS ISO 14001 adoptions in Malaysia

The ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard was introduced in 1996 and has been adopted by approximately 100,000 firms around the world, including those in Malaysia. The study is to investigate the factors that influence adoption based on a survey conducted on a sample of ISO 14001 adopter and non-adopter manufacturing firms that operate in Malaysia. Using discriminant analysis, the study identified the factors affecting adoption of the standards. On the basis of analysis and discussion, the study concluded that the certification bodies and related institutions have to disseminate information regarding ISO 14001 standard facts so as to promote adoption among manufacturing firms in Malaysia.

The Diffusion of Voluntary International Management Standards: Responsible Care, ISO 9000, and ISO 14001 in the Chemical Industry

This article analyzes the factors that explain the international diffusion of voluntary international management standards. We argue that international management standards should not be analyzed in isolation but in conjunction with other standards and their institutional environment. We present two opposite views explaining how the previous diffusion of management standards facilitates or hampers the adoption of new management standards. We test a comprehensive model of diffusion of international environmental management standards within the chemical industry using a panel of 113 different countries during the period 2000 to 2003. Our results show that the previous experience of businesses in voluntary standards such as the Chemical Industry's Responsible Care Program or ISO 9000, government commitment toward Environmental Management Systems Standards, and the level of activity of international nongovernmental organizations in the country of adoption, impact positively on the adoption of ISO 14001 by chemical firms. Unlike previous studies that focused mostly on cross industry analyses, we do not find trade‐related factors significant while explaining adoption in the chemical industry. Our results differ, therefore, from previous research and highlight the need to isolate industry effects to understand the diffusion of international standards.

Drivers for adopting environmental management systems in the post-Soviet mining industry

The past decade has witnessed an active dismantling of public environmental policy in Russia. At the same time, Russian companies involved in natural resources extraction have adopted standardized environmental management systems. In this way, much of the responsibility of environmental policy in Russia has been transferred to private industries and their environmental management systems. These systems do not, as such, guarantee increased environmental responsibility. This article addresses the privatization of the Russian environmental policy in light of the legitimacy and uncertainty involved in standardized environmental management systems. A case study of the mining industry in the Kola Peninsula, Russia, is used in two ways. First, environmental policy conflicts between public bodies and mining companies in Russia are illustrated with two examples. Second, key drivers for adopting environmental management systems in the Kola Peninsula mining companies are extracted from thematic interviews. These drivers are analyzed for their impact on unit and corporate level decision-making. In addition, the drivers are categorized according to the type of legitimacy and stakeholder salience. It is shown that unit and corporate level applications of environmental management have different societal and environmental implications. On the basis of the case study it is suggested that due to their support of cognitive and moral legitimacy, and a broader view on salient stakeholders, environmental management systems defined on the unit level allow a better alignment of corporate goals with societal goals of sustainability.

Managing Indirect Environmental Impact within Local Authorities' Standardized Environmental Management Systems

Many local authorities use standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) to improve their environmental management. These authorities often find it difficult to manage environmental impact caused by their exercise of authority i.e. indirect environmental impact (IEI) within their EMSs. Since this is connected to their core activities, it is important to understand how IEI could be more efficiently managed with respect to EMS work. The purpose for this paper is to study if and how IEI could be managed within the framework of EMS. In this study we have identified two different approaches to managing IEI. Because managing IEI is complex, it is often ignored when initiating EMSs or managed by explicitly avoid mentioning the concept. Managing IEI is seen as a matter of maturity within the organization. The paper concludes with a discussion regarding a developed definition of IEI and how management of IEI could be facilitated.

Development of the use of standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) in local authorities

Local authorities have used EMSs to structure their environmental efforts for some time now, and this paper studies the development over time of the use of EMSs in some Swedish local authorities. T ...

Are standardized EMSs useful in local authorities? A study of how a tool from the private sector is used in the public sector

AbstractFollowing the trend in the private sector, standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) have been introduced in several local authorities around the world. When the tool is transferred from the private sector to the public, one can ask how useful the tool is in the new environment, since the private and the public sectors are two different types of social sphere, with different institutional logics. Taking a closer look at the situation in Sweden, this paper aims to investigate the applicability of standardized EMSs in local authorities and the public sector in general. Based on qualitative interviews with public officers in two municipalities in Sweden, it is argued that EMSs are useful in municipalities. However, the study also reveals that an EMS seems to be more suitable for technical service administrations and municipally owned companies than social service administrations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Different approaches to standardized environmental management systems in local authorities – two case studies in Gothenburg and Newcastle

AbstractLocal authorities have shown an increased interest in committing to voluntary environmental commitment. This paper analyses the use of one of them, standardized environmental management systems (EMSs). It examines how local authorities approach EMS implementation, using two case studies in two European cities, Newcastle City Council (UK) and Gothenburg City Council (Sweden). The research departs from four research topics: drivers; strategy for EMS implementation; integration, dissemination and acceptance; future development of the EMS work. The case study cities' EMS approaches are analysed starting from the three pillars of institutions: the regulative, normative and cultural–cognitive. The analyses reveal that both Newcastle and Gothenburg mainly use a normative approach to EMS implementation; however, there is a regulative inclination in Newcastle's approach. It has also been noted that there is a difference between the standards (e.g. ISO 14001 and EMAS) and the actual use of the standards. The standards are fairly regulative while the application of the standards varies from organization to organization. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Products in environmental management systems: the role of auditors

For standardized environmental management systems (EMS) to be environmentally effective tools, they should affect important environmental aspects related to flows of materials and energy, which for manufacturing companies are closely connected to their products. This paper presents how external environmental auditors interpret and apply important product-related requirements of ISO 14001 at manufacturing companies in Sweden. The results indicate that the link between EMS and products is rather weak. Products are seldom regarded as significant environmental aspects and are therefore not within the main scope of many EMS, which are mainly focused on sites. However, all of the interviewed auditors require that some kind of environmental considerations be incorporated into product development, but these considerations are to large extent site oriented; how they are prioritized in relation to other factors such as economics and other customer priorities appears to be up to the companies. The paper includes some recommendations to strengthen the role of products within the framework of standardized EMS.

Environmental management systems and company performance: assessing the case for extending risk‐based regulation

AbstractAcross Europe, there is considerable interest in establishing stronger links between environmental regulation and standards for environmental management systems (EMSs) such as ISO 14001. If it can be demonstrated that possession of an EMS results in improved environmental or regulatory performance, then there is a case for granting ‘regulatory relief’ in the form of, for example, reduced inspection frequencies. This paper describes the analysis of information on almost 800 sites regulated under the UK's Integrated Pollution Control regime. It demonstrates that having an EMS improves certain procedural aspects of environmental management but does not appear to reduce the likelihood of breaching permit conditions. Interviews with certification bodies revealed the factors, such as differentiation of services in the market for certification, that underlie this finding. It is concluded that some limited recognition of EMS in regulation is warranted, because there is overlap between some regulatory and certification procedures, and because having an EMS facilitates the supply of information necessary for regulation. The broader implications for regulated industry, certification bodies, regulators and wider environmental policymaking are considered. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Environmental Management Systems: What is in it for Local Authorities?

In the last five to ten years local authorities world-wide have followed the trend in the private sector and implemented standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) in their organizations. This raises questions to the reasons for implementing an EMS and, not least, about the roles and contributions of an EMS in municipal environmental policy and management. Drawing on EMS research and experiences in several countries, this review paper aims at providing a critical overview of this new phenomenon and reflects upon the potentials and drawbacks of EMS as a tool for local authorities to use in environmental management. It is argued that an EMS would primarily be regarded as a technical management tool for analytical action that helps to plan, systematize and evaluate the environmental management tasks in an organization. From a critical-emancipatory perspective, it could also, however, be interpreted as a tool for communicative action that may enhance co-operation in the municipal organization. Used in an innovative way and being aware of the potential pitfalls, the EMS may provide information, structures and processes that could help municipal actors to (re)consider their ideologies and socio-cultural structures related to environmental management.

Determinants of environmental management systems standards implementation: evidence from Greek industry

AbstractThis paper employs logistic regression analysis to test a model that predicts the implementation or non‐implementation of Environmental Management Systems Standards (EMSSs) by considering various factors as explanatory variables. The dependent variable is dichotomous: industrial firms either implementing or not implementing EMSSs. From past experience we identify 15 major variables contributing to implementation of EMSSs. A sample of 259 respondents (84 implementing and 175 not) is used to estimate the parameters of the logistic regression model employing maximum likelihood. The results show an overall significant model with four of the 15 variables significant. The significance of management perception of environmental issues on their decision to implement EMSS was confirmed with regards to their perception on win–win possibilities. Pressure on companies to improve their environmental performance does not result in higher uptake of the standards. Company image and size are important factors in its decision to implement EMSS. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment

IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS STANDARDS: IMPORTANT FACTORS IN CORPORATE DECISION MAKING

While environmental management systems standards (EMSS) have been advocated by policy makers and consultants on the basis of a number of benefits associated with their implementation, some companies are reluctant to implement them. This paper tests four hypotheses with regard to the significance of a number of factors in a company's decision to implement EMSS. Specifically, it assesses whether a company would be more likely to implement EMSS if its management has a positive perception of environmental issues; if there are pressures on the company to improve its environmental performance; if opportunities arise through its environmental activities; and if it operates in sensitive environmental conditions. For this purpose, Greek companies in the process of EMSS implementation were surveyed and their responses compared with companies that had not decided up to that point to implement the standards. Specific aspects of the hypotheses posed were supported and confirmed a range of factors that are important in a company's decision to implement EMSS.

The Connection Between Environmental Management Systems and Continual Environmental Performance Improvements

This paper discusses the connection between standardized environmental management systems and environmental performance, based on a case study. By comparing the environmental reviews for a group of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) before and two years after their EMS implementation, we try to show how the environmental performance of these firms has developed and draw some conclusions regarding the connection between standardized EMSs and environmental performance in general. The case study illuminates some central aspects of ISO 14001's requirement of continual improvement. Taken together with the literature on this issue, it is clear that in practice a set of indicators are established and monitored, indicators concerning operations as well as management efforts. Hence, the selection of indicators is crucial. External environmental auditors should compare the development of these indicators and determine if an improvement has occurred or not. Naturally, this judgement by auditors is very important and difficult. The situation is very similar to the weighting step recognized as a problem in life cycle analysis, but the use of indicators for management efforts adds an additional dimension to this already intricate problem.