Sustainability, innovation, participation and economic effectiveness through the environmental management systems implementation

Abstract

This article focuses on the evaluation by the Greek enterprises (and a municipality) of the implementation of environmental management systems (EMS). In accordance ίο the aims of sustainability, innovation, participation and economic effectiveness. Until now, in the Greek bibliography there are very limited knowledge about the EMS implementation and evaluation (EMAS, IS014001) in specific companies. Basically scolars concentrate their interest on the targets and aims of the EMS in general. This paper is based on an empirical research in 5 selected companies in Greece {case studies) using a questionnaire and a cost-benefit-oriented model, in order to approach in an multilevel way the behavior of the enterprises which implement EMS (in different phases of implementation). For that reason, special criteria for every aim target {sustainability, innovation, participation) have been chosen, which opperationalize their basic characteristics. Moreover, the research focus on the economic effectiveness of the selected enterprises which have attempted to implement EMS. It is very important for the enterprise to have profits and to improve their competition through the local or the international market. For that reason the cost parameter of the cost-benefit model for the EMS implementation is very significant for the company. On the other hand, the paper analyzes also the advantages of the EMS implementation -direct and indirect- such as increasing of profits, improving company's environmental profile e.a.. Finally, the paper comes to more general conclusions about the EMS implementation in Greek enterprises in relation with the principle above aims.