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Systemic support and environmental awareness in a normalised environmental management system consistent with ISO 14001

Marek Bugdol (Quality Management Department, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Kraqkow, Poland)
Bolesław Goranczewski (Opole University, Opole, Poland)
Grzegorz Kądzielawski (WSB Dąbrowa Górnicza, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland)

Management of Environmental Quality

ISSN: 1477-7835

Article publication date: 4 May 2021

Issue publication date: 20 July 2021

408

Abstract

Purpose

The study aimed to determine the correlations occurring between systemic support and environmental awareness. Additionally, the authors wished to establish which systemic factors (criteria of the ISO 14001) impact those dependencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative and qualitative research were carried out (survey findings were analysed against documentation research and self-observation records). The authors used literature review, analysis of system documentation, survey research and self-observation. The research was conducted in the period from April to May 2020. It focused on a chemical company operating within the structure of a large capital group and employing over 1,500 people. The system theory was used in the research. This theory recognises the existence of correlations and interactions among its subsystems and the elements that constitute them.

Findings

The conducted study points unequivocally to a considerable discrepancy between employees' opinions and records made in the documentation. Correlations between support and awareness level do exist, although for them to be positive, it is necessary to ensure an efficient process of communicating the effectiveness of the environmental management system. Reliance merely on audit findings, management reviews and environment monitoring process is insufficient. More focus is required on building employee commitment, as well as on counteracting excessive formalisation.

Originality/value

Environmental management systems have been gaining in popularity. There have been studies into the motives behind implementation of such systems, their benefits and their barriers for their application. However, there is a lack of research on the relationship between the individual criteria of the environmental management system.

Keywords

Citation

Bugdol, M., Goranczewski, B. and Kądzielawski, G. (2021), "Systemic support and environmental awareness in a normalised environmental management system consistent with ISO 14001", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 32 No. 5, pp. 949-969. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-11-2020-0256

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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