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The impact of ISO 14001 on corporate environmental performance: a study of Swedish manufacturing firms

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  • Thomas Zobel

Abstract

The debate concerning the environmental effectiveness of environmental management systems (EMS) based on ISO 14001 is still open and scholars have called for further studies that can explain the contrasting evidence in previous research. As a response, this study aims to contribute knowledge about the effects of ISO 14001-based EMS by presenting fact-based environmental data. The study focuses on changes in performance over a period of 12 years and includes both firms with an EMS (66 firms) and firms without one (50 firms). Consideration is given to the improvement efforts in the firms before EMS adoption making it possible to neutralize any selection effects where better environmental performance precedes ISO 14001 adoption. Analysis has been carried out using statistical methods for six different environmental areas. No statistically significant differences between certified and non-certified firms concerning the change in the rate of improvement could be found in any of the six areas. However, it can be suspected that EMS adoption has positive effects on energy use and waste production whereas the non-adopting firms seem to perform better concerning air emissions. These mixed results mirrors previous research, which is rather worrying considering the worldwide popularity of EMS based on ISO 14001 in industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Zobel, 2016. "The impact of ISO 14001 on corporate environmental performance: a study of Swedish manufacturing firms," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(4), pages 587-606, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:59:y:2016:i:4:p:587-606
    DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2015.1031882
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Elisabet Garrido & Consuelo González & Raquel Orcos, 2020. "ISO 14001 and CO2 emissions: An analysis of the contingent role of country features," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 698-710, February.
    2. Corsini, Filippo & Appio, Francesco Paolo & Frey, Marco, 2019. "Exploring the antecedents and consequences of environmental performance in micro-enterprises: The case of the Italian craft beer industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 340-350.
    3. Lorenzo Ardito & Rosa Maria Dangelico, 2018. "Firm Environmental Performance under Scrutiny: The Role of Strategic and Organizational Orientations," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(4), pages 426-440, July.
    4. Ammar Masood & Mohsin Altaf & Mohsin Raza Khan & Tanveer Illahi & Abdul Qayyum, 2021. "Industrial Environmental Performance: Mapping And Systematic Literature Review," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 10(4), pages 76-100, December.
    5. Tiberio Daddi & Fabio Iraldo & Francesco Testa & Maria Rosa De Giacomo, 2019. "The influence of managerial satisfaction on corporate environmental performance and reputation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 15-24, January.
    6. Thomas Zobel & Charlotte Malmgren, 2016. "Evaluating the Management System Approach for Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-12, September.
    7. Kyungmin Baek, 2018. "Sustainable development and pollutant outcomes: The case of ISO 14001 in Korea," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(5), pages 825-832, September.
    8. Iñaki Heras‐Saizarbitoria & Olivier Boiral & Alberto Díaz de Junguitu, 2020. "Environmental management certification and environmental performance: Greening or greenwashing?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2829-2841, September.

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