Environmental management systems in the Maltese islands : A case study of selected manufacturing organisations

Abstract

Since the 1987 Brundtland Report, sustainable development has become an increasingly common term used by governments looking to balance economic growth with environmental and social factors. This term is also applied by various industrial sectors with respect to their progress towards green manufacturing. The responsibility to address environmental problems has increased due to both internal and external factors. With the introduction of numerous voluntary systems, companies sought ways to comply with local regulations through the reduction of their environmental impacts. In this regard, Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) were established to help companies maximise their operational efficiency whilst reducing their negative impact on the environment. Through a mixed method research approach, this research aims to highlight whether EMS certified manufacturing companies in the Maltese Islands have similar motives, benefits and barriers to these systems as in foreign countries. This research also aims to highlight any noted reductions in environmental impacts and other factors, such as employee involvement within the EMS. This research is based upon previous studies from other countries which sought to determine whether EMSs are effective in manufacturing companies or not. Following the research method, most of the surveyed companies acknowledged that the EMS implemented was beneficial. This research suggested that the majority of the companies surveyed experienced similar motives, benefits, and barriers as in other countries, therefore country size and other local factors do not appear to have any influence. As a recommendation for future research that aims to investigate the effectiveness of such standards, it is suggested to analyse various sectors, not just manufacturing, due to the limited number of enterprises. Another recommendation for future research would be to explore the difference between international certifications and in house policy systems in the Maltese Islands.