Implementation of international standards for environmental management in visegrad countries: A comparative analysis

Abstract

Objective: The paper aims at identifying the importance and relevant practices related to international standards for environmental management system (EMS) in the countries of the Visegrad Group (including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary). Research Design & Methods: A review of mainstream literature on EMS will be conducted followed by document-based research as well as statistics database used as the methodological approach. Data will be gathered through the evaluation of Eurostat database and ISO Surveys. Findings: The international comparison facilitates the evaluation of current implementation of EMS as well as contributes to the identification of the main possibilities and limitations for its development. The implementation of EMS according to the ISO 14000 and EMAS can help companies to find solutions that support processes of environmental changes with the purpose to improve corporate innovativeness and competitiveness. Implications & Recommendations: This work is limited to the evaluation of statistical data. Further, the detailed empirical research based on case study approach and indepth semi-structured interviews is needed to explain the difficulties experienced and benefits accrued during implementation of EMS. Contribution & Value Added: This article contributes to existing literature on corporate sustainable development by applying environmental management systems to the practices of entrepreneurs that have a goal of environmental sustainability.