How Does Implementation of Environmental Management System Contribute to Corporate Sustainability Management

Abstract

Corporate sustainability management (CSM) appears to be an important issue for current management. The aim of the paper is to identify what determinants of sustainability management are examined in the literature and discuss the contribution of environmental management system (EMS) to CSM based on experiences of selected Czech organizations with implemented EMS according to ISO 14001. The data for the survey was gathered from 222 organizations (N = 1265) who have already implemented EMS. The results show there is a basic knowledge of sustainability concept in the surveyed Czech organizations. Perceived improvements of EMS implementation in Czech organizations are mainly in the area of environmental performance, economic performance, relationship with involved parties and social issues. Based on the implementation of EMS, the organizations take care about corporate sustainability (about the areas of environmental aspects and impacts of the organization). Improved environmental performance has been linked with process and product cost improvements and lower risk factors.

Keywords

• sustainable development
• corporate sustainability
• corporate sustainability management
• environmental management system