Impact of the Adoption of Global Environmental Management Systems

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, Norman OK

Investigators

Abstract

This research examines the roles of global pressures, firm behavior, and institutional processes on the adoption of global environmental strategies by multinational organizations. Firms who adopt such global environmental strategies say that it is the best economic option and the "right thing to do." However, it is not clear whether the strategic changes have any significant impact on economic or environmental performance. This research seeks to determine the extent to which firms are adopting global environmental strategies and to test a theoretical model of the impact of the adoption of global EMS, particularly the actual economic and environmental effects. This analysis will be based on organizational data from leading edge firms as well as from published and proprietary information on the S&P 500. This study will add important empirical evidence to our understanding of the economic impact of global environmental management strategies, the actual environmental performance of multinationals, and can be an aid to regulating bodies and governments by demonstrating what types of pressures drive leading organizations to implement high levels of environmental management. Keywords: sustainable, environmental performance, institutional processes, organization decision-making