Environmental management in corporations in southeastern China.

摘要

China has undergone rapid economic development over the past two decades resulting in extensive environmental degradation. In response, the central government promoted a series of initiatives to incorporate environmental concerns into internal corporate management. This is manifested in the rapid adoption of environmental management systems (EMSs) and ISO14000 registrations, particularly in southeastern China. This research analyzes the implementation of environmental management systems in 30 corporations in southeastern China by identifying the driving forces and barriers; it provides recommendations to harness driving forces and overcome barriers. Market-based motivators were found to be the most influential driving forces, while behavioural barriers were considered as the most significant challenge. Recommendations were generated to provide direction and guidance for corporations in southeastern China to effectively implement environmental management systems to manage environmental impacts. Corporations in southeastern China should utilize driving forces to help overcome barriers. To ensure the effectiveness and success of current and future EMS implementation, they should also enhance capacity building through promoting knowledge transfer, identify all required resources for EMS implementation and adopt high level of authority for environmental management structure. In addition, recommendations were also formulated for different groups who indirectly cooperate to improve EMS implementation in southeastern China: domestic and oversea buyers, Chinese governments, consultants, and environmental certification bodies and auditors.