Abstract

In this study, the benefits of implementing ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS), employees’ responses towards the implementation of EMS, the reasons for resisting the implementation and the challenges encountered by top management in implementing EMS were explored. A questionnaire survey to 97 ISO 14001 certified manufacturing companies in the State of Selangor was conducted. The findings showed that improved corporate image is the most substantial benefit brought by implementing EMS. A majority of the respondents were optimistic and they believed the implementation of EMS was good to the company and it benefited them. The top three reasons for resisting the implementation of EMS were employee’s preference to stay at status quo, employees were haunted by the past failures in EMS and fear of the unknown. The findings also indicated three major challenges encountered by top management in the implementation of EMS are top management commitment towards the implementation, identification of environmental aspect, impact and legal compliance.

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