A framework for environmental management system adoption and maintenance: an Australian perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for environmental management system (EMS) adoption which can be used by managers to enable them to achieve a faster, smoother, effective and sustainable EMS implementation. This is termed by the authors as “successful” EMS implementation.Design/methodology/approach – The framework presented is based on an extensive field study conducted in Australia that included a questionnaire survey and in‐depth interviews conducted with practitioners, the results of which have been reported in this and other journals.Findings – The framework presented covers three distinct phases, namely development, certification and maintenance and continuous improvement. Preliminary assessment of this framework by a group of Australian experts that included four senior managers, one academic and one consultant suggests that this framework is a useful tool for implementing an effective EMS.Practical implications – Each of the three phases of the framework provides a step‐...