Discuss the major barrier(s) of implementing green management and ISO 14000 in the business sector of Hong Kong.

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Discuss the major barrier(s) of implementing green management and ISO 14000 in the business sector of Hong Kong. If you are the responsible officer in the Government of HKSAR, write a short policy paper discussing the ways of encouraging business sectors participation. (Relevant information on the Government Green Manager Scheme can be found at the homepage of EPD: ).

Answer:

To achieve and maintain competitive advantage firms need to be appropriately positioned with their industry. “Going Green” becomes an important issue for business to ensure its marketing position and a source of competitive advantage.

An environmental management system (EMS) is based on the concept of continuous improvement in all aspects of the firm’s environmental performance. ISO 14000, which was introduced in September 1996, specifies the requirements for an EMS and it applies to those environmental aspects over which the firm either has control or could be expected to have an influence. ISO 14000 is the international standard that reflects a new and better understanding of the expectations of environmental management. ISO 14000 is, therefore, built on total quality management concepts, in particular it follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. Even ISO 14000 does not specify absolute requirements for firms but the specifications are based on the traditional management principles. In particular commitment from all levels of the organization to environmental sustainability and management is essential. But, to commit the principles underpinning ISO 14000, Policy, Planning, Implementation and Operation, Checking and corrective action and Management Review and Continual Improvement, there have a number of issues Hong Kong Business especially SMEs to overcome the barriers of ISO 14000 or encouraging business implementation.

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Lack of financial support is one of the big problems to implement ISO 14000. The cost of training and documentation is too high. The cost of certification and audit is too high. In Hong Kong, many companies are SMEs with limited capital and relatively low profits. These companies look upon environmental friendly management is cost-prohibitive. Moreover, culture problem in business also making the step to going green become slow. The Lack of documented policies is concerning environmental concerns. An unwillingness of firms applies certification. Employees of firms are unable to understand the requirement of certification. It is an inability ...

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