Improving EMS Implementation in SMEs

Sustainable development is a main concern of the twenty-first century, i.e., the achievement of economic success and good quality of life requires a different way to deal with the environment immediately. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in our socioeconomic systems, but collectively they are responsible for considerable environmental impacts. The objective of this research is to give suggestion on how to improve environmental management system (EMS) implementation in SMEs considering the aim of sustainability. An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the barriers and drivers that influence the uptake of EMSs in SMEs. The effectiveness of current guidelines and support mechanisms aimed at improving EMSs implementation was examined through employing an analytical framework (i.e., standardized tables were developed to formalize the analytical process). Finally, to give practical suggestions, gaps in the support measures were identified though analysis and, the barriers that are difficult to overcome were identified through a criteria-based assessment with scoring. It is clear that current support measures do not satisfy the needs and concerns of SMEs partly due to the lack of understanding of the heterogeneous nature of the SME sector. Negative attitudes and low awareness towards the environment are found very difficult to overcome in small companies, and especially, for self-employed owner managers. The primary conclusion from this research is that environmental ethics is a good tool to involve small companies, and especially owner managers in EMS implementation, and, ultimately achieve sustainable development.