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1 – 10 of over 15000
Article
Publication date: 8 June 2010

Aapo Länsiluoto and Marko Järvenpää

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different actors influenced the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) and a performance measurement system

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different actors influenced the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) and a performance measurement system (PMS) in a case company when the systems are eventually integrated. Another purpose is to illustrate how the frameworks of Gibson and Earley and Lovaglia et al. can be utilized to investigate the implementation of different management systems in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is an interpretative case study, which utilizes qualitative methods such as semi‐structured interviews and internal documents.

Findings

The results indicate the importance of maintaining a separation between the power and status of an actor in EMS and PMS implementation processes, and the ways in which the power and status of actors in the EMS and PMS implementation differed. The status and role of an actor can change although the power may be static during the implementation of different management systems. Therefore, the paper confirms the classification of Lovaglia et al. and proposes that their classification should be added to the framework of Gibson and Earley.

Originality/value

Earlier accounting studies using the institutional theory framework of Burns and Scapens did not specifically investigate the role of actors, or their power and status in implementing two different management systems. The collective action frameworks of Gibson and Earley and Lovaglia et al. have not been practically utilized before in EMS and PMS studies. Furthermore, EMS and PMS integration studies have usually been normative without empirical case data.

Details

Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1832-5912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 October 2010

Juan José Tarí and José F. Molina‐Azorín

Quality management (QM) and environmental management (EM) systems have several similarities. These parallels may facilitate the development of an integrated system (QEM system). A…

3637

Abstract

Purpose

Quality management (QM) and environmental management (EM) systems have several similarities. These parallels may facilitate the development of an integrated system (QEM system). A QEM system is a full, single system where quality and environmental issues are taken into account at the same time, and where QM and EM systems lose their independence. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main benefits to be derived from the integration of QM and EM systems, and to use the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model as a bridge toward the implementation of a QEM system.

Design/methodology/approach

First, an extensive literature review about the parallels between QM and EM systems is conducted. Second, the criteria of the EFQM model are taken into account to develop an integrated system.

Findings

The literature review identifies several similarities between QM and EM systems, including the reasons to implement them, benefits derived from their adoption, positive influence on cost and differentiation positions, development of hard‐to‐imitate capabilities, and common implementation factors. In addition, the EFQM model provides enablers and results criteria that may be useful for the development and implementation of an integrated QEM system.

Originality/value

This study is based on both a literature review and an analysis of the EFQM model. Based on this review and on the EFQM model, the contribution of this study lies in the fact that it proposes ideas and insights for managers, and other stakeholders, interested in QM and EM systems (e.g. consultants and policy makers) to develop a commitment to quality and environmental issues through an integrated system.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 22 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2022

Glory George-Ufot, JiuChang Wei, Oyinkansola Christiana Kevin-Israel, Mona Salim, Muhideen Sayibu, Halima Habuba Mohamed and Lincoln Jisuvei Sungu

This study explored whether the critical incident management systems (CIMS) model can predict the EMS performance in the COVID-19 context. Past research has established the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explored whether the critical incident management systems (CIMS) model can predict the EMS performance in the COVID-19 context. Past research has established the significance of early detection and response (ER) in the context of Ebola virus disease (EVD), prompting a question of whether the model can also be helpful in the COVID-19 context. Consequently, the authors assessed whether ER influences the impact of communication capacity (CC), reliable information channel (RC) and environment (EN) on COVID-19 EMS performance. Assessing these relationships will advance emerging infectious disease (EID) preparedness.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed standardized measurement instruments of the CIMS model (CC, ER, RC and EN) to predict the performance of COVID-19 EMS using structural equation modeling (SEM) in a study of 313 participants from frontline responders.

Findings

The results show that the relationship of ER and EN with COVID-19 EMS performance is positive, while that of EN on CC is negative. The relationship between EN and COVID-19 EMS performance was insignificant. Contrary to the hypothesis, CC was negatively significant to COVID-19 EMS performance due to poor communication capacities.

Research limitations/implications

The authors acknowledge some limitations due to challenges faced in this study. First, Data collection was a significant limitation as these questionnaires were built and distributed in June 2020, but the response time was prolonged due to the recurring nature of the pandemic. The authors had wanted to implore the inputs of all stakeholders, and efforts were made to reach out to various Ministry of Health, the local CDC and related agencies in the region via repeated emails explaining the purpose of the study to no avail. The study finally used the frontline workers as the respondents. The authors used international students from various countries as the representatives to reach out to their countries' frontline workers. Second, since the study was only partially supported using the CIMS model, future studies may combine the CIMS model with other models or theories. Subsequent research reassesses this outcome in other contexts or regions. Consequently, further research can explore how CC can be improved with COVID-19 and another future EID in the region. This may improve the COVID-19 EMS performance, thereby expanding the lesson learned from the pandemic and sustaining public health EID response. Additionally, other authors may combine the CIMS model with other emergency management models or theories to establish a fully supported theoretical model in the context of COVID-19.

Practical implications

The findings have practical implications for incident managers, local CDCs, governments, international organizations and scholars. The outcome of the study might inform these stakeholders on future direction and contribution to EID preparedness. This study unfolds the impact of lessons learned in the region demonstrated by moderating early detection and responses with other constructs to achieve COVID-19 EMS performance. The findings reveal that countries that experienced the 2013–2016 Ebola outbreak, were not necessarily more prepared for an epidemic or pandemic, judging by the negative moderating impact of early detection and response. However, these experiences provide a foundation for the fight against COVID-19. There is a need for localized plans tailored to each country's situation, resources, culture and lifestyle. The localized plan will be to mitigate and prevent an unsustainable EID management system, post-epidemic fund withdrawals and governance. This plan might be more adaptable and sustainable for the local health system when international interventions are withdrawn after an epidemic. Public health EID plans must be adapted to each country's unique situation to ensure sustainability and constantly improve EID management of epidemics and pandemics in emergency response. The high to moderate importation risk in African countries shows Africa's largest window of vulnerability to be West Africa (Gilbert et al., 2020). Therefore, they should be in the spotlight for heightened assistance towards the preparedness and response for a future pandemic like COVID-19. The West African region has a low capacity to manage the health emergency to match the population capacities. The COVID-19 outbreak in West Africa undoubtedly inflicted many disruptions in most countries' economic, social and environmental circumstances. The region's unique challenges observed in this study with CC and reliable information channels as being negatively significant highlight the poor maintenance culture and weak institutions due to brain drain and inadequate training and monitoring. This outcome practically informs West African stakeholders and governments on aspects to indulge when trying to improve emergency preparedness as the outcomes from other regions might not be applicable.

Originality/value

This study explored the relevance of the CIMS model in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing different patterns of influence on COVID-19 EMS performance. In contrast to the extant literature on EVD, the authors found the moderating effects of ER in the COVID-19 context. Thus, the authors contribute to the COVID-19 EMS performance domain by developing a context-driven EMS model. The authors discuss the theoretical and practical implications.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 36 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2004

Ambika Zutshi and Amrik S. Sohal

The implementation of various management systems and standards has become an important activity for organisations irrespective of their size, sector or nature of the business…

6978

Abstract

The implementation of various management systems and standards has become an important activity for organisations irrespective of their size, sector or nature of the business. Even with a history of implementing change across the organisation, managers continue to experience resistance and challenges when implementing and maintaining the systems/standards, whether they be in quality, occupational health and safety, environmental or any other area. Based on a major research project recently completed, this paper presents the critical success factors for successful implementation of an environmental management system. The project involved three phases of fieldwork: preliminary interviews, a questionnaire survey and in‐depth interviews. A brief summary of the findings from each of these phases of research is presented. Based on the findings, the paper discusses the critical success factors for the successful implementation and maintenance of EMS.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2008

Aapo Länsiluoto and Marko Järvenpää

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the forces that prompted a Finnish food manufacturing company to implement environmental management system (EMS) and performance management…

3378

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the forces that prompted a Finnish food manufacturing company to implement environmental management system (EMS) and performance management system (PMS). The paper also aims to describe how and why environmental issues were integrated onto a balanced scorecard (BSC).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes both qualitative and longitudinal case study approaches. Semi‐structured interviews are the main source of empirical data; these were conducted by both researchers.

Findings

The forces driving the implementation of the EMS changed from external to internal forces over time. The initial purpose of EMS implementation was to obtain an environmental certificate. Later on the forces turned to internal ones when the causal link between improving environmental performance and profitability was recognized. The PMS implementation, as well as the PMS and EMS integration, had internal forces driving them. The company integrated environmental indicators into its BSC, which thus connected the EMS and PMS. This integration demonstrated the financial impacts of the environmental improvements.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation relates to the methodological issues when the results can be generalized theoretically.

Practical implications

If dealing with environmental issues is considered to potentially increase profitability, there must be a great potential to improve environmental performance at the same time. If environmental measures are integrated into a BSC, they are monitored and discussed more precisely. The BSC is thus a worthwhile tool for reporting information on environmental performance. The construction of an EMS and a PMS requires a co‐operation between different functions and levels of the organization. Finally, the forces for improving EMS and PMS can emerge both from outside and inside.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the empirical research on environmental and performance management by integrating these two issues, and also illustrates that forces are dynamic rather than static.

Details

Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1176-6093

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2019

Esmir Maslesa and Per Anker Jensen

This paper aims to disclose the role and features of various IT systems for environmental building performance (EBP) in facilities management.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to disclose the role and features of various IT systems for environmental building performance (EBP) in facilities management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on IT systems used for facilities management in four organisations. The study is based on a maximum variance case study in which the selected organisations have different organisation type and portfolio size. Three organisations are from Denmark and one is from the UK.

Findings

Several IT systems can be used for managing EBP. EBP in IT systems is primarily reflected through energy management, with specific focus on monitoring and reporting electricity, heating and water consumption. Furthermore, greenhouse gas emissions related to energy consumption can be calculated in some IT systems, while other environmental categories like building materials and recycling potentials are not adequately supported by the systems covered in this study. Some IT systems offer additional features relating to EBP, such as waste management and space management, but the study shows that these features are not demanded at the current point.

Practical implications

The results can be used to support decision-making in organisations to improve EBP in facilities management by IT systems.

Originality/value

This study contributes with new knowledge on how IT systems are used in different organisations for managing EBP. The paper also shows how various IT systems can add value to real estate organisations and facilities management departments and support their business processes relating to EBP.

Details

Facilities , vol. 38 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 June 2021

Sarandis Mitropoulos, Christos Mitsis, Petros Valacheas and Christos Douligeris

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the way technology affects the provision of prehospital emergency care, upgrading the quality of services offered and significantly…

2426

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the way technology affects the provision of prehospital emergency care, upgrading the quality of services offered and significantly reducing the risk of premature termination of the patients.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the development of the eEKAB, a pilot emergency medical information system that simulates the main services offered by the Greek National Instant Aid Centre (EKAB). The eEKAB was developed on an agile system methodology. From a technical perspective, the features and the technology were mainly chosen to provide reliable and user-friendly interfaces that will attract many users. eEKAB is based on three important pillars for offering health care to the patients: the “On-time Incident Reporting”, the “On-time Arrival at the Incident” and “Transfer to the Health Center”. According to the literature review, the emergency medical services (EMS) systems that combine all the features are very few.

Findings

It reduces the total time of the EMS procedures and it allows for an easier management of EMS, by providing a better allocation of human resources and a better geographical distribution of ambulances. The evaluation displayed that it is a very helpful application for the ambulance drivers as it reduces the ambulance response time to arrive in the patient's location and contributes significantly to the general performance of the prehospital medical care system. Also, the survey verified the importance of implementing eEKAB on a larger scale beyond the pilot usage. It is worth mentioning that the younger ambulance drivers had a more positive view for the purpose of the application.

Research limitations/implications

The paper clearly identifies implications for further research. Regarding interoperability, the mobile app cooperates with the Operational Center of EKAB, while further collaboration could be achieved with other operational ambulance handling center, mainly, of the private sector. The system can evolve to include better communications among the EKAB departments. Particularly, the ambulance crew as well as the doctors should be informed with more incident features such as the emergency signal so that they know whether to open the siren, the patient's name, etc. The authors are currently working on implementing some features to provide effective medical health services to the patient in the ambulance.

Practical implications

eEKAB will have very significant implications in case of its enforcement, such as the reduction of the total time of EMS procedures with a corresponding reduction of the operating costs of an accident management system and an ambulance fleet handling system while in parallel informing in time the doctors/clinics. It will provide better distribution of ambulances as well as of total human resources. It will greatly assist ambulance drivers, while reducing ambulance response time to reach the patient's location. In other words, the authors will have a better performance of the whole prehospital care system.

Social implications

Providing emergency care before the hospital is of great importance for upgrading the quality of health services provided at the accident site, thus significantly reducing the risk of premature death of patients. This in itself has a significant social implication.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates a solid understanding in the field of the EMS systems and the corresponding medical services offered. It proposes the development of an effective, feasible and innovative EMS information system that will improve the existing emergency health care system in Greece (EKAB). An in depth literature review and presentation of the adopted new technologies and the respective architecture take place. An evaluation and statistical validation were conducted for proving the high applicability of eEKAB in case of real-life running.

Details

Applied Computing and Informatics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2634-1964

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1995

Swarna D. Dutt and Dipak Ghosh

We examine the stability of exchange rates among the members of the European Monetary System (EMS), using the Johansen‐Juselius multivariate cointegration (systems) analysis. The…

Abstract

We examine the stability of exchange rates among the members of the European Monetary System (EMS), using the Johansen‐Juselius multivariate cointegration (systems) analysis. The direct implication from cointegration theory is that exchange rate stability vis a vis EMS member countries has been achieved. This allows us to study the speed of convergence of different currencies towards the equilibrium path.

Details

Studies in Economics and Finance, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1086-7376

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2007

David Walker, Michael Pitt and Urmila Jha Thakur

To demonstrate the importance of environmental management systems (EMS) in achieving overall sustainability within organisations, by reducing ecological impacts of economic…

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Abstract

Purpose

To demonstrate the importance of environmental management systems (EMS) in achieving overall sustainability within organisations, by reducing ecological impacts of economic activities and improving corporate environmental care.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of published works over a decade (1994‐2004) has been explored in setting the trend for EMS within the context of corporate responsibility (CR). The discussion is presented in four sections, which are – introduction; background; requirement of environmental management system and conclusion.

Findings

The literature traces the gradual transformation of the role of environmental management system within organisations, from a legal obligation in the past, to an investment driver for commercial advantage in future. Facilities management is identified as the crucial link, which can assist in developing appropriate knowledge management systems necessary for attaining continued business success.

Research limitations/implications

The work highlights the importance of EMS in achieving overall sustainability and profitability of organisations. However, due to limitations of experience of EMS within organisations, it will take a while before significant results can be provided in proof of this.

Practical implications

The paper establishes an approach imperative for success of future organisations in achieving effective environmental management, leading to sustained economic growth, which will eventually prove beneficial to all sections of society across the world.

Originality/value

This paper evaluates how environmental management has evolved within the context of CR and by integrating it with information management, the work sets the direction for continual improvement of environmental and financial performance of future organisations.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2005

Meena Chavan

The main aim of this paper is to prove that an Environmental Management System (EMS) can be a powerful tool for organizations to both improve their environmental performance, and…

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Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to prove that an Environmental Management System (EMS) can be a powerful tool for organizations to both improve their environmental performance, and enhance their business efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study methodology is used putting forth the “Implementation of an EMS system at Pioneer Building and Construction”, a registered company in the construction industry whose primary business activities relate to development and construction of projects on a contract basis.

Findings

The findings stated that by implementing an EMS, Pioneer obtained a 10 per cent cost reduction; an estimated $1.2 million now could be saved annually as the annual costs were $12 million – which more than offsets the costs sustained in the implementation of ISO 14001.

Practical implications

This paper validates that although the causes of environmental degradation are well known, the business logic for environmental improvement has been largely operational and technical. Few firms have incorporated sustainability into their strategic thinking. A sustainable business should use its unique position to develop and achieve sustainable production and sustainable consumption at the same time. A responsible and sustainable system of environmental management should start with pollution prevention then expand into control and environmental design. The practical implications of this paper are to assist small business to embark on their implementation of the EMS.

Originality/value

EMS relevant information specifically with regards to the building and construction industry within the small business sector has been observed in this paper which is very important for similar such organizations to get cracking on their implementation of an EMS which is valuable in terms of improving their efficiency as well as being a social obligation for the future generation and the economy.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

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