Swaffield, L M and Johnson, G A (2005) The financial benefits of implementing ISO 14001 within construction contracting organizations. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 1(3), pp. 197-210. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
ISO 14001 is a specification with guidance for use in relation to the implementation of environmental management systems. This research aimed to investigate the issues associated with ISO 14001 implementation in construction firms and the financial benefits that could be achieved by the organizations. Through both qualitative and quantitative research methods based upon literature, four detailed case studies, a web-based questionnaire and two semi-structured interviews, this research identified the stages of ISO 14001 implementation, measures implemented to protect the environment, and some direct and indirect financial benefits that arise as a result of ISO 14001. The research established that there are direct and indirect financial benefits as a consequence of ISO 14001 at all levels of an organization. The case studies showed that an average saving of around 41% could be achieved on costs associated with waste disposal, landfill tax, energy consumption and timber used, compared with the monthly costs of those items before ISO 14001 was implemented on the sites.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction contractors; energy costs; environmental management systems; financial benefits; iso 14001; landfill tax; waste disposal costs |
| Index terms: | construction firm, ISO, interview, environmental management system, case study, quantitative research, energy cost, specification, implementation, construction contractor, contracting organization, waste disposal, landfill, energy consumption, questionnaire |
| Subjects: | energy systems, contractual arrangements, data analysis and analytics, standards development, waste management, control systems, practitioner, data collection methods, organization, environmental engineering, cost management, contractual condition |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Procurement, Sustainability, Quality Management, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here