Introduction
Companies found in different sectors of the economy as a result of the specificity of their activities have often been taunted for being responsible for the pollution harming almost every component of the natural environment. Consequently, the mostly unfavorable impacts of their economic activities that have a relationship with outward emissions, as well as, consumptions culminates to resource depletion, water, air and soil pollution and even the climate changes that have continually been realized on the globe. The occurrence of all the above culminates to deteriorating the quality of life and adverse consequences on the lives of the future generations. It is for this reasons that a sustainable performance model becomes entirely moral and even necessary to the world communities. In relation to the above, the following article will discuss whether the adoption of the systems of environmental management would lead to better and improved sustainability performance. Also, the paper will examine the existing relationships between corporate behaviors and the management concepts related to this sustainability management.
Notably, most economic growth models of the world target sustainability in development by sufficiently formulating the economic, social and also the environmental objectives. In this light, the sustainable development of any economy synthesizes the qualities imminent in the activities that are practiced by every economic operator. Converting entities towards such sustainable systems of productions would, in fact, develop the conditions necessary for obtaining favorable economic impacts both at the regional, macroeconomic, local and the national levels. Most directions for achieving sustainability in development often stipulate different restructuring activities and the orientation of the different players to structure their operations in manners that ensure efficient resource utilization, as well as, promotion of the measures aimed at preserving the natural environment.
Because of widespread considerations by several entities e.g. governmental agencies and even the environmental interest groups concerning the possibility of adopting the environmental management strategies, the following research will specifically seek to find answers to three particular questions that have emerged from EMS operations. Firstly, is environmental management systems a management tool that is only practicable by large global companies that have the necessary incentives, as well as, resources to adapt the systems or can the smaller entities also accrue benefits from the development, adoption and the certification of the environmental management strategies? Secondly, what is behind the motivations for companies both large, small, domestic and globalized ones regarding the adoption of EMS and even voluntarily complying with the externalities for its design, as well as, implementation? Lastly, what results can be realized upon the implementation of the environmental management systems and what is the certification impacts on the companies?
Strategy for collecting evidence
For purposes of collecting the evidence suitable for this particular research paper, it will primarily conduct literature reviews on the environmental management systems of companies. Besides, it will perform the review on the empirical studies that have been conducted in the sector for possible adoption, as well as, certification. Also, doing analysis of the environmental statements by the entities that are located in the European Union zones will highlight the advantages that have a relationship with the operations culminating to better environmental management systems. Hermann, Kroeze, and Jawjit, 2007, p.8). Essentially, a literature review is very significant in the collection of evidence because it assists in imparting the knowledge regarding the utilization of the environmental management systems for the betterment of the management aspects that have been applied by different entities in the world.
Overview of environmental management systems
It is first imperative to have knowledge of what environmental management system means. Through the definition as given by the British Standards, EMS is that structure of an organization, its responsibilities, methodologies, practices and the processes used in the determination and implementation of different environmental policies. This brings the meaning that EMS generally ascribes to the adoption of environmental policies. The policy usually dictates the commitments of an organization towards its environmental management prospects. As such, it encompasses the company's commitment to waste reduction, pollution, resource, and energy utilization, setting and meeting targets and also performing a review of the entity based on its environmental performance.
Upon setting up the policy and the environmental management system, an organization will then consider making a publication of the report for purposes of documenting its progress against the environmental policies. Melnyk (2003) mentions that enterprises may use an EMS that has been certified e.g. ISO 14001 or the Eco-management and even the audit scheme. However, they may also at times develop their personal ‘in-house' systems. Worth noting is that the most broadly applied are the ISO 14001 because of its global status, quality and its predecessor’s success. The above EMS was as a result of a harmonious agreement amongst almost fifty nation. Its use can sufficiently be applied to the whole company or just a part of its activities. The crucial goal is the promotion of a regular improvement. Certification of the EMS code is only achievable upon the inspection only by a body that has been accredited.
Benefits of adopting EMS
The assertion regarding the adoption of the environmental management systems leading to better, as well as, an improved performance of ecological systems is right because of the benefits that are associated with the EMS. This is because the adoption of the scheme ensures that the activities of the companies don't adversely impact on the natural environment and even other factors. If it does, then there is a prescribed manner by the system that can be used in the mitigation of the challenges that are likely to be witnessed.
On the first account, the adoption by different organizations a responsible attitude regarding the impacts produced on environmental externalities constitutes a primary direction of the companies' transition with an emphasis on the economic growths, improvement in their levels of efficiencies and even improving the competitiveness in their markets of operation. Within the social context, it harbors several benefits to the workers of an organization. These advantages are related to an extension of the corporate social responsibility (CSR). At the economic level, the benefits will be realized in terms of the improvements in the life-qualities through the provision of a better protection to the natural framework of the people. At the same time, the cooperation, as well as, commercial relationships existing between organizations will build a favorable atmosphere necessary for the diffusion of sustainable conducts in different economic sectors. This generally boosts the organizations’ performance as a block.
It has also been considered that the alterations in the systems of production for purposes of obtaining the sustainable services, as well as, products represents a fundamental modality in restructuring the economy of the firm. It also serves in their orientation towards the development of sustainable practices. Notably, such production systems that denote a level of sustainability generate broad and positive social, economic and also the environmental impacts, particularly along the value chains, used. Besides, it also offers a comparative advantage in the competitive industry of the firm. Worth noting is that the development of clean products as advocated for by EMS stimulates setting up of some investments in the industry. With this, an achievement of different ecological productions and the development of critical practices for measuring and accounting for performance imminent in the environment is applicable.
As a culmination to better performance, the sustainable development of different economic agents leads to the improvement in the qualitative dimensions of company activities. This is necessary for the acquisition of capacities fundamental for the achievement of excellent economic performance that goes hand in hand with the preservation, as well as, protection of the natural environments. Morrow and Rondinelli, 2002, p. 3) This enables companies to harbor their concerns regarding the knowledge of external pressures exerted on the environmental management systems. It is also necessary for restructuring the efforts of the firms' productive systems by discerning the general organizational, management and even improved administration of the factors of production. Worth noting is that through this aspect, sustainable growth for the companies is realizable.
Environmental management systems lead to the improvement in the public images of companies by enabling the presentation of very detailed reporting. This is in terms of its performance in the environment management spheres which has notably been very significant to different stakeholders including insurers, clients, and even the residents. Besides, it provides a better comprehension of the control processes of the entity consequently encouraging the reduction of emissions and the risks associated with the pollution in the environment. In a general sense, the massive benefits realized from the environmental management systems of companies would, in fact, result in their good performance. Implementation of the systems thus becomes necessary for the realization of the benefits so far discussed.
Deliberations on the research questions.
The adoption, as well as, the implementation of environmental management systems by companies has been broadly known to deliver tangible benefits to the companies. The firms have claimed to have saved on costs and also substantially decreased its impacts on the environment. Besides, it primarily assists big international firms in validating the abilities of every manufacturing, as well as, design facilities. This enables the firms to meet consistency and efficiently fulfill the requirements associated with environmental management systems. Basically, this serves as the grounds for continual growth of the corporation.
Secondly, companies have had different motivations for applying the concept of EMS to its systems. Essentially, companies often register their EMS concept for the attainment of regular environmental improvements regarding the performance of the firm. Also, as a motivating factor, EMS assists companies particularly the production entities in the identification of the weaknesses, as well as, potential utilization of energy sources. Maier and Vanstone (2005) has pointed out that EMS serves as motivation to the workforce, offering improvements to the image of the firm and increasing the legal certainty of the company's processes. Companies have also often been motivated to reduce their particular environmental impacts that come with great liability risks.
Lastly, the development and consequent adoption of the environmental management system is an important concept that is open to every company regardless of the size. Even though some have taunted it as a comparatively costly undertaking, the benefits that have been so far accrued makes it a viable investment to all companies regardless of the size or even the mode of operation. Worth noting is that the benefits that are got from its application are standard because EMS seeks the promotion of a standard concept which is the sustainability, as well as, the improvement in the performance of the environment. (Improving environmental performance and compliance, 2000)
Costs of implementing EMS concept
Melnyk (2003) mentions that the resources of a corporate entity play a significant part in the environmental options that can be taken up by the firm. Besides, the implementation and certification of the EMS concept is an expensive, as well as, a time-consuming adventure. The process is very demanding and would need the use of large paperwork. He goes ahead to mention that having an official environmental management system is determined by the level of sufficiency of the company’s resources. The resources also impact on the degree to which the EMS concept is considered. This points out that in order to successfully implement the project, then cost factors needs to be put in place since it is a relatively expensive undertaking.
Companies having EMS systems
Morrow and Rondinelli (2002) asserts that numerous multinational corporations have adopted and also certified their environmental management systems. For instance, Ford Motor Company has been regarded as one of the first large companies to consider the implementation of the ISO 14001 in each of its manufacturing entities in the world. In fact, by 1998, the company had made a certification to all the one hundred and forty manufacturing plants in the twenty-six countries it had its operations. By 1999, it prescribed that everyone that traded with it such as its suppliers were to adopt the EMS if they wanted them to continue doing business together. Other organizations that have encouraged the adoption of the concept encompass the General Motors, Toyota and also the Daimler-Chrysler. IBM has also been certified in its manufacture of microelectronic technology, personal systems, networking hardware and also the systems for data storage. The Royal Dutch and the Bristol-Myers Squibb have also implemented the environmental management systems.
Relationship between corporate behavior and EMS management concept
Corporate practices of institutions have a great relationship with the concept of environmental management systems. For instance, the achievement of this environmental sustainability dependence on the operations of the entity. It is because the operations of a firm are what determines whether it is practicing a system of environmental management that would lead to the protection of the ambient environment. Wang (2013) mentions that the corporate behavior of a firm will determine the manners in which an establishment of the environmental policies will be done, an analysis of the environmental performance, implementation of the EMS concept by the firm and performing internal audits to find out if the set conditions for the improvement in performance of the firm have been met.
Conclusion
The adoption of the environmental management system is a significant process in the attainment of environmental sustainability performance. The benefits arising from the inculcation of EMS concept into the procedures of a company demonstrates that there is a great possibility of achieving the desired responsibility, as well as, transparency regarding environmental and societal principles. This points to the fact that a general increase in the competitiveness and also the practice of a sustainable performance by a firm is attainable. Based on the deductions that have made, therein, the above study has conclusively contributed to the comprehension of the subject of EMS as being a contributing factor to environmental sustainability performance. This consequently enhances the implementation, as well as, the evaluation of the concept in different of the world.
References
Hermann, B., Kroeze, C. and Jawjit, W. 2007. Assessing environmental performance by combining life cycle assessment, multi-criteria analysis and environmental performance indicators. Journal of Cleaner Production, 15(18), pp.1787-1796.
Improving environmental performance and compliance. 2000. 1st ed. Canada: Commission for environmental cooperation, p.9.
Morrow, D. and Rondinelli, D. 2002. Adopting Corporate Environmental Management Systems: Motivations and Results of ISO 14001 and EMAS Certification. European Management Journal, 20(2), p.13.
Maier, S. and Vanstone, K. 2005. Do good environmental management systems lead to good environmental performance? 1st ed. London: Ethical Investment Research services, p.12.
Melnyk, S. 2003. Assessing the impact of environmental management systems on corporate and environmental performance. Journal of Operations Management, 21(3), pp.329-351.
Wang, 2013. A Review of environmental management systems in global defense sectors. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 9(2), pp.164-181.
