Best practices in implementing operational controls of ISO 14001 environmental management systems into small and medium businesses

Studies show that many small and medium businesses (SMBs) that have implemented environmental management systems (EMSs) and got certified to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard experienced obstacles along the way. For SMBs the standards appear unnecessarily bureaucratic, and represent a way of working that fits poorly into their organizational cultures and decision-making structures of small companies. Studies also show that environmental management systems such as ISO 14001 provide a framework for organizations that wish to effectively manage their environmental affairs. Implementing an EMS that conforms to the ISO 14001 standard helps businesses integrate environmental values into their operations. This research helps bridge the gap between EMS theory and business practices in SMBs. Its specific goal was to determine how SMBs developed and implemented operational controls in ISO 14001 type environmental management systems in order to help similar SMB\u27s achieve successful EMS implementation. This thesis identifies the problems that small enterprises experience when they develop and implement operational controls, and examines the approaches that are used to overcome different barriers. It also looks at how different factors interact to facilitate the implementation and certification of EMSs in small enterprises. The main focus of the study is on the US, but some relevant data has been collected from sources outside US. The main outcomes of the thesis are: A description of various methodologies that are used in order to develop and implement operational controls in SMBs An analysis of the positive and negative aspects of these methods and Recommendations for Best Practices to implement operational control in SMBs Recommendations on how to effectively develop and implement operational controls in SMBs