3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item ISO 14001 environmental performance as a stand-alone tool and back up requirement from other environmental tools for enhanced performance: South African case study .(2007-02-22T10:48:50Z) Matela, Puseletso SylviaDespite benefits claimed by organisations on ISO 14001 such as improved environmental performance and gaining of business advantage, there are disputes that the standard does not lead to improved environmental performance. The purpose of the study was to establish environmental performance of ISO 14001 in South Africa; and environmental management tools that can back up ISO 14001 standard for enhanced performance. The study was based on questionnaires, interviews and documents. The outcome of the study was that ISO 14001 is implemented in South Africa mainly to gain business advantage whilst aiding in improved environmental behaviour. Benefits obtained from ISO 14001 certification by organisation include environmental awareness and responsibility by employees across the board, more organised data management, reduced environmental costs, no environmental liabilities and gaining good reputation with the public, government, insurers and other stakeholders. However the issue of costs is considerably a limitation for companies to register for ISO 14001. The environmental management tools mostly implemented are those closely associated with ISO 14001 such as Environmental Auditing, Environmental Performance Indicators and Environmental Reporting. Other tools such as Design for Environment, Life Cycle assessment, Extended Producer Responsibility, and Eco- Mapping are not popular in South Africa which can imply missed opportunities. Strategic incorporation of these Environmental management tools into ISO 14001 include simplicity, innovation, use of incentives, industrial associations and benchmarking, new thinking, education, building on existing business practices and broadening the use of ISO 14001 standard.Item An evaluation of the Impact of Environmental Management Systems on the Economic Performance of Business Enterprises in South Africa(2006-10-31T07:02:16Z) Khuto, MotsekiThis research report focuses on the impact of environmental management systems (EMS) on the economic performance of business enterprises with respect to the three research variables, namely water, energy and raw materials. A systematic sampling technique with a random start and the K-Value sampling interval were employed to draw a sample size of 30 enterprises from a list of 240 EMS certified enterprises. However, the response rate ultimately turned out to be only 30 % of the sample size. The research discovered that EMS programmes that are practised by enterprises under study in South Africa are inefficient, as strategies adopted to cut down on the consumption of the research variables are inefficient. It has further been found that due to unavailability of data, business enterprises failed to consistently and convincingly provide data pertaining to the costs of EMS adoption. Inefficient strategies in cutting down consumption of research variables are concluded to have led to minimal savings and revenue accruing to the enterprises. This is observed to be a result of the following factors: not undertaking some research ahead of any action to shed light on the nature and magnitude of responsive measures required for specific problem areas; costly EMS technology and infrastructure; lack of innovativeness in exhausting the full potential value of the research variables; poor EMS practice etc. Failure to provide data by enterprises is observed to be a result of little value, which enterprises attached to information storage and documentation as well as environmental accounting system, yet they are such crucial components of EMS. This has therefore made impossible to weigh gains against costs to establish whether business enterprises are gaining or losing in their EMS projects. On the basis of the observed shortcomings, enterprises are advised to have in place a comprehensive EMS database and to conduct some research ahead of any responsive action. The South African government is recommended to intervene by providing an enabling environment for EMS by implementing EMS supporting policies and promoting awareness campaigns. Furthermore, research into the observed problem areas has been recommended in order to get to the bottom of EMS problems in South Africa.