Achieving sustainability through attention to human resource factors in environmental management

Bonnie F. Daily; Su-chun Huang

doi:10.1108/01443570110410892

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International Journal of Operations & Production Management

ISSN: 0144-3577

Online from: 1980

Subject Area: Operations and Logistics Management

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Achieving sustainability through attention to human resource factors in environmental management

Document Information:
Title:	Achieving sustainability through attention to human resource factors in environmental management
Author(s):	Bonnie F. Daily, (Management Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA), Su-chun Huang, (Management Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA)
Citation:	Bonnie F. Daily, Su-chun Huang, (2001) "Achieving sustainability through attention to human resource factors in environmental management", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 21 Iss: 12, pp.1539 - 1552
Keywords:	Environment, Human resource management, International standards, Sustainable development
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/01443570110410892 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	MCB UP Ltd
Abstract:	Currently, many businesses are implementing a proactive, strategic tool known as an environmental management system (EMS) to gain a competitive advantage. Companies can no longer simply use compliance plans to deal with environmental concerns; consumer demands for greener products and services, and operational efficiencies require long term strategic and sustainable approaches for environmental management. An EMS includes documentation of: commitment and policy; planning; implementation; measurement and evaluation; and review and improvement. Establishment and maintenance of an EMS can be costly and time consuming, therefore implementation should be carefully structured to assure success. This paper identifies human resource (HR) factors such as top management support, environmental training, employee empowerment, teamwork, and rewards systems as key elements of the implementation process of an EMS. Furthermore, the interaction of these factors is examined in terms of the five categories of an EMS mentioned above. Finally, a conceptual model of the EMS-HR factors is proposed to assist in proper facilitation of the environmental management program.