An investigation on the implementation pattern of environmental management system (EMS) in Hong Kong

viii, 182 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.PolyU Library Call No.: [THS] LG51 .H577M MGT 2002 SzetoThe growing recognition of the importance of environmental protection by many business leaders has led to new rounds of proactive voluntary standards emphasizing the integration of corporate strategy and environmental management. From prior researches,information suggested that various stakeholders intend to influence firms' environmental performance. It was stated that these driving forces highly hang to the firms' environmental responsiveness, and these are the motivations towards EMS implementation. In order to trigger EMS activities, resources seem to be the basic and inevitable element to be ready in place. Numerous researches view firms' performance based on resource-based perspectives. Results showed that firm performance, including environmental performance, are largely relied on organizations resource and capability. This information-signaling hypothesis that resources may relate to the consequences of the EMS implementation. ISO 14000 series of standards is not a performance based standard, so there exists no mechanism to evaluate system effectiveness. Furthermore, there is very few academic researches developed methodology to evaluate performance of EMS either. Therefore, it is interesting to view the system effectiveness with respect to firms' motivation and resources availability. Lastly, the implementation consequences are likely to be further examined. Understanding these relationships between antecedents and consequences of EMS implementation, a deeper examination of EMS input, operations and outcomes are most likely to be required.Based on the above relationships, this would like to find out the answer of the questions (1) the reason why these companies are interested in seeking ISO 14001 certification, (2) the effect of motivations posited in the literature an the EMS effectiveness, (3) the role of resources availability in the implementation and (4) the hypothesized effect of EMS effectiveness on environment performance and organizational commitment. In addition, the effect of firm sizes and type of industry on EMS effectiveness would also be examined. This research sheds light on the relative importance of a number of organizational factors that are posited to help or hinder the implementation of ISO 14000-based EMS, as well as the nature of the impact of the system effectiveness on employees and environmental performance. A conceptual model is constructed containing constructs of antecedents and consequences of implementing an ISO 14000-based EMS. Several hypotheses are constructed and tested according to the data collected from two questionnaires. These two questionnaires were sent to Hong Kong facilities which were certified with ISO 14001 as of January, 2000. Questionnaire A was sent out in June, 2000, which is aimed at gathering environmental and EMS information from the key environmental or EMS personnel. There are 32 facilities replied, the response rate is 55.4 %. For questionnaire B, it was sent to 3 non-environmental personnel whom are working in the replied facilities. The purpose of sending questionnaire B is to evaluate effectiveness of EMS program, staff perceived influence on environmental performance and their commitment towards an ISO 14000 certified firm. 80 questionnaire B were received, the response rate is 84.9%. By applying various analytical methods, hypotheses are tested accordingly and the results would be further discussed in this research dissertation.Department of Management and MarketingM.Phil., Dept. of Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2002