Bonnie F. Daily

Achieving sustainability through attention to human resource factors in environmental management

Currently, many businesses are implementing a proactive, strategic tool known as an environmental management system (EMS) to gain a competitive advantage. Companies can no longer simply use compliance plans to deal with environmental concerns; consumer demands for greener products and services, and operational efficiencies require long term strategic and sustainable approaches for environmental management. An EMS includes documentation of: commitment and policy; planning; implementation; measurement and evaluation; and review and improvement. Establishment and maintenance of an EMS can be costly and time consuming, therefore implementation should be carefully structured to assure success. This paper identifies human resource (HR) factors such as top management support, environmental training, employee empowerment, teamwork, and rewards systems as key elements of the implementation process of an EMS. Furthermore, the interaction of these factors is examined in terms of the five categories of an EMS mentioned above. Finally, a conceptual model of the EMS‐HR factors is proposed to assist in proper facilitation of the environmental management program.

Motivating employees for environmental improvement

This paper presents a theoretical framework for environmental performance by looking at the crucial employer and employee factors affecting environmental performance. The model focuses on the integration between top management commitment, employee empowerment, rewards, feedback and review, and environmental performance. Suggestions for managers on implementing core concepts from the model, in addition to the challenges they may encounter are discussed throughout the article.

A Conceptual Model for Organizational Citizenship Behavior Directed Toward the Environment

This article extends the literature of organizational citizenship behavior in the context of environmental efforts. The authors provide support for the development of the construct, organizational citizenship behavior directed toward the environment (OCBE). They define OCBE as environmental efforts that are discretionary acts, within the organizational setting, not rewarded or required from the organization. This study also identifies key determinants of OCBE, including environmental concern, organizational commitment, perceived supervisory support for environmental efforts, and perceived corporate social performance. Directions for further research and implications for managers are provided.

The role of training and empowerment in environmental performance: A study of the Mexican maquiladora industry

Purpose – The purpose of this study to propose a model that links the following human resource (HR) factors: employee environmental empowerment, employee environmental training, employee environmental teamwork, managerial environmental empowerment and managerial environmental training, to environmental performance as perceived by managers.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was administered to 220 manufacturing organizations in Mexico. The survey instrument was self‐report format with attitudinal variables. Items were adopted from previously published scales. A hypothesized model of the variable relationships with structural equation modelling analysis was tested.Findings – The results suggest that managers perceive that both environmental training and environmental empowerment are important to themselves and employees. In this study, overall environmental training had a stronger relationship with the dependent variables than environmental empowerment. In the case of the employee level, the effects wer...

The effects of a group decision support system on culturally diverse and culturally homogeneous group decision making

Abstract Considerable research has been conducted over the last decade on the effects of using Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) in group decision making. Studies have examined the influence of GDSS on such variables as group task, size, quality of decision, and satisfaction with the process. However, only a few studies have focused on the use of GDSS and its interaction with group composition. This study compared the effects of group decision making, both with and without GDSS technology, on culturally diverse and homogeneous groups. Group performance was measured by the number of non-redundant, realistic ideas and the quality of solution produced in response to posed problems. The GDSS used in the study was Vision Quest. Groups using it, regardless of cultural make up, developed a significantly higher number of non-redundant, realistic ideas than groups that did not. Furthermore, among groups using the GDSS, culturally diverse groups produced a significantly higher number of non-redundant, realistic ideas than homogeneous groups that used the GDSS. Implications for diversity management and group support research are suggested.

Perceptions of environmental management systems: An examination of the Mexican manufacturing sector

Purpose – Over the last several years, there has been a significant increase worldwide in the implementation of environmental management systems (EMS). Yet, few studies have provided feedback on managerial views of key components and performance of these systems. The purpose of this paper is to examine variations in perceptions of a number of environmental and human resource constructs that are operationalized and measured in the field at Mexican maquiladoras. Differences between organizations with a certified EMS, informal EMS, and no EMS are examined.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was administered to 220 manufacturing organizations in Mexico. The survey instrument was self‐report format with attitudinal variables. Items were adopted from previously published scales. A global hypothesis was proposed in order to test the difference between groups across multiple dependent variables. A MANCOVA and post hoc MANOVA were used to simultaneously evaluate the difference among the multiple metric dependen...

The influence of group decision support systems on contribution and commitment levels in multicultural and culturally homogeneous decision-making groups

Research concerning cultural diversity reports that the cultural composition of a group differentially affects group member contribution and commitment levels. In multicultural groups, the majority culture may dominate the decision-making process and ethnic minorities can be perceived to have a lower status due to their position within the social hierarchy. However, research also suggests that group decision making may be structured to promote a more equitable group process. Studies on group decision support systems (GDSS) cite improvements in group processing via the structure and anonymity that can be offered by the technology. This paper presents the results of a pilot study which compared the effects of group decision making, both with and without GDSS technology, on multicultural and homogeneous groups. Findings revealed that both multicultural and homogeneous groups had significantly higher levels of perceived contribution in the GDSS environment. However, there were no significant differences in terms of perceived contribution, commitment, or personal influence between groups in either environment. None the less, all groups achieved a higher number of brainstormed ideas in the GDSS environment. In addition, multicultural groups achieved a statistically higher number of ideas in the GDSS environment in comparison with homogenous groups in the GDSS environment.

Reward for environmental performance: using the Scanlon Plan as catalyst to green organisations

Institutionalising, a reward system based on measurable performance and incentives for environmental improvements, serves as a potential mechanism to enhance a firms environmental performance. Our main purpose is to integrate the principles of environmental management and the Scanlon Plan as a means to achieve this. Specifically, our paper advocates the utilisation of Scanlon Plan principles for environmental performance. The Scanlon Plan features (1) collectiveness and cooperation, (2) employee participation, (3) quantifiable performance and bonus measures and (4) an equitable reward system; all components that would enhance environmental performance.

Multimedia and its impact on training engineers

This article presents empirical research conducted on the effectiveness of the Advanced Technology Classroom (a computer‐integrated, multimedia learning environment) on engineering‐based curriculum. Multimedia offers the opportunity to enhance learning through greater audiovisual perceptions and interactive participation. Effectiveness of the ATC multimedia system was determined through a series of empirical studies that compared instruction with multimedia to traditional instruction methods. Courses in production/operations management and mechanics of materials were chosen for examination using undergraduate engineering students. The research findings suggest that multimedia is an applicable, pedagogical tool for use in training engineers.