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

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  • Sara Emilsson
  • Olof Hjelm

Abstract

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. The analyses depart from three development indicators: dissemination of the EMS work, the progress in the EMS cycle and the use of EMS standards. The results show that EMSs are more widely used within the local authorities today compared with a few years ago. Before, it was mainly the technical sector that was subject to EMS implementation, but today there is a stronger emphasis on the successfulness of EMS implementation in departments within the soft sector. The study also shows that local authorities have shifted from using ISO 14001 and/or EMAS to using less formal, often locally adapted and designed standards. The paper concludes by discussing the usefulness of standards for EMS implementation in local authorities. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Emilsson & Olof Hjelm, 2005. "Development of the use of standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) in local authorities," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(3), pages 144-156, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:12:y:2005:i:3:p:144-156
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.80
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sara Emilsson & Olof Hjelm, 2002. "Mapping environmental management system initiatives in Swedish local authorities—a national survey," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(2), pages 107-115, June.
    2. Hanna Norén & Fredrik von Malmborg, 2004. "Are standardized EMSs useful in local authorities? A study of how a tool from the private sector is used in the public sector," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(3), pages 187-197, May.
    3. R. J. Welford, 1998. "Editorial: Corporate environmental management, technology and sustainable development: postmodern perspectives and the need for a critical research agenda," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 7(1), pages 1-12, February.
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    2. Hayam Wahba, 2008. "Exploring the moderating effect of financial performance on the relationship between corporate environmental responsibility and institutional investors: some Egyptian evidence," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(6), pages 361-371, November.

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