An exploration of ISO 14001 uptake by New Zealand firms

Abstract

Purpose

New Zealand firms display reluctance in embracing the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. The low adoption rate suggests that the benefits of doing so are not adequately understood by New Zealand firms. The purpose of the paper is to report success factors for the implementation of ISO 14001, as well as the barriers to, and benefits of, adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on data from a survey of all ISO 14001 certified firms in New Zealand.

Findings

The key factors reported as being critical to the successful implementation of an ISO 14001 driven EMS for the respondent firms are planning and strategy, and capability building, with process management of lesser importance. Factors recognised as potential barriers to successful ISO 14001 adoption are primarily implementation processes and costs, with external engagement, information and infrastructure, and contractor commitments deemed lesser barriers. Perceived benefits of ISO 14001 adoption are reported as environmental operating performance, compliance related performance, environmental outcomes and perceptions and, lastly, competitive orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to data from externally certified firms (i.e. it excludes any data from firms who “self‐declare”). The data are also post‐implementation (i.e. there is no measurement of whether the reported benefits, barriers and success factors were what the firm had expected pre‐implementation).

Originality/value

The paper is one of few that explore the phenomenon of ISO 14001 adoption by firms in the New Zealand context.

Citation

Cassells, S., Lewis, K.V. and Findlater, A. (2012), "An exploration of ISO 14001 uptake by New Zealand firms", International Journal of Law and Management, Vol. 54 No. 5, pp. 345-363. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542431211264232