Abstract
This study compares the effects of substantive implementation and symbolic implementation of the ISO 14001 standard on benefits realised for firms and their satisfaction with the certification. Specifically, we examine whether top management commitment is a precursor to both modes of implementation styles. Also, we compare firms’ benefits–environmental, economic and marketing–emanating from these two modes of implementation and whether they affect the satisfaction levels of firms with ISO 14001 certification. We test the research framework of this study using a dataset that was drawn from 328 firms in Australia and New Zealand. Our findings showed that top management commitment plays an important role as a driver for both symbolic and substantive forms of ISO 14001 implementation. Substantive implementation has wider and stronger effects on the benefits of ISO 14001 adoption than symbolic implementation. Finally, both economic and marketing benefits have a positive effect on the level of satisfaction while environmental benefit, surprisingly, does not.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 339-361 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | Australasian Journal of Environmental Management |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Jul 2018 |
Keywords
- benefits
- ISO 14001 certification
- satisfaction
- substantive implementation
- symbolic implementation
Cite this
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Comparing symbolic and substantive implementation of international standards – the case of ISO 14001 certification. / Chowdhury, Mesbahuddin; Prajogo, Daniel; Jayaram, Jayanth.
In: Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 25, No. 3, 03.07.2018, p. 339-361.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparing symbolic and substantive implementation of international standards – the case of ISO 14001 certification
AU - Chowdhury, Mesbahuddin
AU - Prajogo, Daniel
AU - Jayaram, Jayanth
PY - 2018/7/3
Y1 - 2018/7/3
N2 - This study compares the effects of substantive implementation and symbolic implementation of the ISO 14001 standard on benefits realised for firms and their satisfaction with the certification. Specifically, we examine whether top management commitment is a precursor to both modes of implementation styles. Also, we compare firms’ benefits–environmental, economic and marketing–emanating from these two modes of implementation and whether they affect the satisfaction levels of firms with ISO 14001 certification. We test the research framework of this study using a dataset that was drawn from 328 firms in Australia and New Zealand. Our findings showed that top management commitment plays an important role as a driver for both symbolic and substantive forms of ISO 14001 implementation. Substantive implementation has wider and stronger effects on the benefits of ISO 14001 adoption than symbolic implementation. Finally, both economic and marketing benefits have a positive effect on the level of satisfaction while environmental benefit, surprisingly, does not.
AB - This study compares the effects of substantive implementation and symbolic implementation of the ISO 14001 standard on benefits realised for firms and their satisfaction with the certification. Specifically, we examine whether top management commitment is a precursor to both modes of implementation styles. Also, we compare firms’ benefits–environmental, economic and marketing–emanating from these two modes of implementation and whether they affect the satisfaction levels of firms with ISO 14001 certification. We test the research framework of this study using a dataset that was drawn from 328 firms in Australia and New Zealand. Our findings showed that top management commitment plays an important role as a driver for both symbolic and substantive forms of ISO 14001 implementation. Substantive implementation has wider and stronger effects on the benefits of ISO 14001 adoption than symbolic implementation. Finally, both economic and marketing benefits have a positive effect on the level of satisfaction while environmental benefit, surprisingly, does not.
KW - benefits
KW - ISO 14001 certification
KW - satisfaction
KW - substantive implementation
KW - symbolic implementation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85045625256&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14486563.2018.1451402
DO - 10.1080/14486563.2018.1451402
M3 - Article
VL - 25
SP - 339
EP - 361
JO - Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
JF - Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
SN - 1448-6563
IS - 3
ER -