Comprehensive Project

Executive Summary

This paper compares the development of two industries, ABC Hotel (lodging industry)

and Marshall Industries Incorporation (fabricated metal product industry) are used as case studies. The companies’ names used in this paper are not the actual names of the companies. Names were changed at the companies’ request. The procedure for developing an Environmental Management System (EMS) with a focus on the planning phase for the two companies is described. As the two companies pertain to different industries, activities, products, and services, and therefore have different associated environmental aspects, legal and other requirements. The study finds that a key to success in the EMS development is a commitment from top management. Also, the study reveals that these two companies are not familiar with the ISO 14001 standard. Knowledge related to the EMS plays an important role in determining the environmental aspects of the companies’ activities, products, and services. Therefore, the two companies should develop and generate the EMS knowledge at an earlier stage in order to provide effective planning for the EMS. Finally, recommendations emphasize the importance of environmental knowledge and the role of an effective EMS in capturing and managing knowledge.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Chapter                                                                                                                                 Page
1. Introduction                                                                                                                       1
          1.1. Purpose                                                                                                                1
          1.2. Objectives                                                                                                           2
          1.3. Scope                                                                                                                    2
          1.4. Methodology                                                                                                        2
2. EMS: An Information Management Tool                                                                      3
   2.1. How to Codify Explicit Knowledge                                                              4
   2.2. Environmental Information Management                                                                5
   2.3. Environmental Information Systems                                                                        5
3. Background of Environmental Management Systems                                      7
   3.1. Understanding ISO 14000                                                                                         7
   3.2. Understanding ISO 14001                                                                                         7

3.3. Five Requirements of ISO 14001 8

3.4. The Reasons Why Companies Seek ISO 14001 Certification 9

3.5. Benefits and Costs of EMS 10

4. Case Studies

4.1. Case Study#1: Lodging Industry 11

4.2. Case Study #2: Fabricated Metal Products Industry 14

5. Procedure to Developing an EMS 18

5.1. Step-by-Step Action Plan for Developing an EMS 18

5.2. Commitment and Environmental Policy Statement 19

5.3. Planning 19

6. Discussion of ABC Hotel 22

6.1. Initial Environmental Management Review 22

6.2. Significant Environmental Aspects 22

6.3. Legal and Other Requirements 23

6.4. Objectives and Targets 23

6.5 Environmental Management Program 24

6.6. Environmental Policy Statement 26

7. Discussion of Marshall Industries Incorporation 27

7.1. Initial Environmental Management Review 27

7.2.Significant Environmental Aspects 27

8. Conclusion and Recommendation 29

8.1. Barriers to Success in the Development of the EMS Planning 31

8.2. Recommendation 32 References 34

Appendix A 36

Appendix B 43

Appendix C 60