Are standardized EMSs useful in local authorities? A study of how a tool from the private sector is used in the public sector

Following the trend in the private sector, standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) have been introduced in several local authorities around the world. When the tool is transferred from the private sector to the public, one can ask how useful the tool is in the new environment, since the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business strategy and the environment 2004-05, Vol.13 (3), p.187-197
Main Authors: Norén, Hanna, Malmborg, Fredrik von
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Copyright
Environmental management
Environmental policy
Environmental protection
Interviews
ISO standards
Local government
Private sector
Public administration
Public sector
Studies
Sweden
TECHNOLOGY
TEKNIKVETENSKAP
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Summary:Following the trend in the private sector, standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) have been introduced in several local authorities around the world. When the tool is transferred from the private sector to the public, one can ask how useful the tool is in the new environment, since the private and the public sectors are two different types of social sphere, with different institutional logics. Taking a closer look at the situation in Sweden, this paper aims to investigate the applicability of standardized EMSs in local authorities and the public sector in general. Based on qualitative interviews with public officers in two municipalities in Sweden, it is argued that EMSs are useful in municipalities. However, the study also reveals that an EMS seems to be more suitable for technical service administrations and municipally owned companies than social service administrations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
ISSN:0964-4733
1099-0836
1099-0836
DOI:10.1002/bse.403