A framework for environmental management system adoption and maintenance: an Australian perspective The Authors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for environmental management system (EMS) adoption which can be used by managers to enable them to achieve a faster, smoother, effective and sustainable EMS implementation. This is termed by the authors as “successful” EMS implementation. Design/methodology/approach – The framework presented is based on an extensive field study conducted in Australia that included a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews conducted with practitioners, the results of which have been reported in this and other journals. Findings – The framework presented covers three distinct phases, namely development, certification and maintenance and continuous improvement. Preliminary assessment of this framework by a group of Australian experts that included four senior managers, one academic and one consultant suggests that this framework is a useful tool for implementing an effective EMS. Practical implications – Each of the three phases of the framework provides a step-bystep approach and a sequential map towards a successful EMS implementation. Originality/value – The framework has been developed from extensive fieldwork and has been validated by a group of “experts” which comprised of four industry practitioners, one management academic, and one EMS consultant. The framework provides a detailed understanding of the steps involved in the implementation, certification, and maintenance of EMS. Introduction and literature review In a previous paper, Zutshi and Sohal (2004a) presented the critical success factors (CSFs) for successful implementation of an environmental management system (EMS). Successful implementation was defined as one being “smoother, faster, effective and sustainable” in nature. The CSFs were developed from the findings of a large research project that involved three phases of fieldwork: preliminary interviews, a questionnaire survey and in-depth