<p>Environmental (‘Green’) issues have become an increasingly important issue in contemporary business management. Pressure on business regarding environmental issues is increasing and is expected to continue to do so into the future. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are thought to have a large combined effect on the environment and this area has been cited as problematic for the SME sector. This thesis investigates collaboration amongst SMEs through networks as a way to increase environmental activity in this sector – focusing on the Hackefors model (a joint ISO 14001 certification network). The empirical study of this thesis involved a survey study of 4 networks that have implemented the Hackefors model to achieve ISO 14001 in Sweden. The networks represented SMEs from a large variety of industries and the study brought a 75% response rate. It explored different aspects of the Hackefors model, such as the motives and benefits for entering the network, drawbacks and disadvantages of the model, network relations, pressures for ISO 14001 certification and the possibility of extended network relations after certification. The results showed that group ISO 14001 certification using the Hackefors model is an effective way for an SME to implement an EMS. Not only is the model successful in achieving certification, it also brings many other benefits with it. The Hackefors model can be seen as an effective way to encourage SMEs who may not have previously considered an EMS, to implement ISO 14001. In addition, it helps companies become ISO 14001 certified at a significantly lower cost and to overcome some of the problems traditionally associated with SMEs, such as size and lack of time.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA/oai:DiVA.org:liu-1603 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Jenks, Robert, Hallinan, Patrick |
| Publisher | Linköping University, Department of Management and Economics, Linköping University, Department of Management and Economics, Ekonomiska institutionen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, text |
| Relation | International Master's Programme in Strategy and Culture, ; 2003:4 |
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