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The ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of joint EMS and group certification: a Swedish case study

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  • Thomas Zobel

Abstract

Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are collectively responsible for a significant portion of the total environmental burden worldwide. A common tool used by SMEs to improve their environmental performance is the environmental management system (EMS), which has the disadvantage that it has been developed with larger organizations in mind. A common approach used by Swedish SMEs to facilitate the implementation of an EMS is joint EMS and group certification. This paper evaluates this approach by means of a case study. It is found that the approach is effective for small and micro‐sized companies in achieving ISO 14001 certification as fast and cost effectively as possible. A few short cuts including joint environmental policy and objectives and insufficient environmental organization are however threatening to undermine the trustworthiness of the approach. Notwithstanding these flaws, however, it must be concluded that the joint EMS approach is a good alternative for small and micro‐sized companies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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  • Thomas Zobel, 2007. "The ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of joint EMS and group certification: a Swedish case study," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(3), pages 152-166, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:14:y:2007:i:3:p:152-166
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.125
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    1. Rondinelli, Dennis & Vastag, Gyula, 2000. "Panacea, common sense, or just a label?: The value of ISO 14001 environmental management systems," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 499-510, October.
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    1. Maël Sommer & Karine Gauche, 2021. "Certification de groupe ISO 14001 et gestion des problèmes de durabilité en petite entreprise : une analyse lexicale du discours des agriculteurs," Post-Print hal-03791169, HAL.

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