Implementation of an environmental management system: the experience of companies operating in Singapore

Examines the issues related to ISO 14001/Environmental Management System (EMS) implementation in Singapore. Using a literature review, the factors that hinder implementation, the possible benefits of such implementation and a list of critical success factors (CSFs) are identified. Seven case studies were conducted with companies which were either ISO 14001 certified, or in the process of certification. The case studies are used to examine the validity of the factors identified in the literature. All the listed CSFs were found to be applicable to all the ISO 14001 certified companies. However, all of these factors were not uniformly applicable to all companies. Similar to the CSFs, all the barriers to implementation that were identified in the literature review section were found to be applicable to the sample companies. However, once again, all of these factors were not uniformly applicable to all companies. The majority of the sample companies reported some form of tangible and intangible benefits from implementation of EMS.