摘要:

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to examine the role of business in the regulatory process associated with the carbon tax proposal. The first part of the paper describes the Community's climate change policy, noting first the essential features of Community environment policy‐making, the role of consultation with industry and the significance of the ‘subsidiarity’ principle. This part of the paper moves on to examine the carbon tax proposal and its evolution since 1990. The second part of the paper addresses the specific role which business played in influencing the development of the carbon tax proposal. The general strategy of business was to block the proposal entirely. The paper identifies the potential impacts of the tax on business, implications for corporate strategies and the specific channels through which business influenced the tax proposal, by participating in public debates, through representations to different directorates of the European Commission or by making a case to national authorities. The final part of the paper attempts to draw some lessons about: the business position in relation to large scale environmental problems such as climate change; business responses to economic instruments such as the carbon/energy tax; and the wider relationship between public authorities and business in regulatory processes. The question of whether this relationship has entered a new phase or whether there is still ‘business as usual’ is

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030202

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThis article examines the changes in regulatory practices which have taken place in Denmark over the last twenty years. Danish environmental policy has been subject to several rounds of regulatory reform, aimed at streamlining existing regulation and making it more effective. Several new policy instruments have in this process been added to the regulatory repertoire, increasing the flexibility of the regulatory system. The strategic approach to the development and implementation of environmental policy, adopted by the Danish government, marks a change of regulatory regime, i.e. a change in the way environmental problems are perceived and in the choice of instruments to remedy these problems. The article argues that this is the result of the regulatory learning processes, and that the emerging regulatory regime, based on cooperation, represents a different way of harnessing the market forces than traditionally advocated. The article concludes that this regulatory regime opens up for a more systemic approach to preventing pollution.

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030203

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractIn the mid‐1980s national and international pressures re‐emerged on organisations to take responsibility for the environmental externalities created by industrial activities. With the Brundtland Report (1987) strong support for the principle of sustainable development in the protection of the natural environment emerged. This instigated organisations to engage in the development of environmental policies, incorporation of environmental strategies in product development, assessment of environmental impact of products and production activities, and increased green advertising.In spite of promising industrial environmental activities, a recent Swedish study (Arnfalk and Thidell, 1992) shows that the dominant force for environmental efforts remains legislation ‐ or threats thereof ‐ rather than integration of environmental criteria in designing and developing product‐ and production systems. To understand the limited response to environmental challenges we explored the sources of inertia in relation to environmental change activities in industrial networks (i) theoretically through a review of inter‐organisational literature on industrial networks and change, and institutional approaches to organisation; and (ii) empirically through some insights from three case studies of the mobilisation and coordination activities in industrial networks involved in substituting the use of Chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs, in refrigerators, and in the production processes of flexible foam and circuit boards.The theoretical review suggests that organisations are embedded in dependency relationships with other organisations that will restrict the material resources and social relations any given actor has to its relevant environment and, hence, influence possible actions and outcomes of environmental change. Product, production, and administrative systems are highly coordinated and adapted to each other which places considerable limitations on the willingness and ability of network actors and systems, to change.The empirical studies show interdependencies and inertia in the technological as well as the relational systems. Evidence of the internalising of environmental problems into individual or network behaviour was not found. Instead, when forced to change, actors cooperated to find solutions within established relationships that did not alter existing products and production systems. On the firm and network levels of observation the pattern of response that emerged during the change processes was the diffusion of solutions, not by strategic design, but through overlapping and interlocked network relations, i.e., through processes of institutionalisation. Our study suggests that the re‐orientation processes towards environmental sustainability in a firm can best be understood in the context of structures and processes on the network rather than on the organis

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030204

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThis paper analyses the process of harmonisation of national pesticides regulations in the EC. One of the outcomes of this process was, in 1991, the adoption of an EC regulation which includes new environmental requirements for pesticides to be sold on the EC market.This regulatory process shows an example of trade‐off between competition policy and environmental policy. After having described the competition in the agrochemical sector, the paper examines this trade‐off in two ways. Firstly, the behaviour of industrial interest groups throughout the process and their influence in the devising of the regulation is considered. Secondly, the impact of competitive issues on the implementation of part of the 1991 regulation (i.e. the re‐registration of old pesticides commercialised in the EC) is analysed.This case study confirms some general results of the regulatory capture theory but it also points out some limits of these theories: firms seemed to be much more sensitive to negative pay‐offs than to positive ones when deciding to become involved in this regulatory process.A second insight brought up by this case study concerns the link between competition policy and environmental policy and its influence on the efficiency of the latter. Environment‐competition trade‐off in the agrochemical sector confronts the regulator, when it adopts environmental policy, with two risks: a risk of changing the structure of the industry (from a differentiated and innovative one to a commodity one) if the regulator does not provide sufficient pay‐offs for environmental R&D costs, or a risk of allowing part of the industry to increase monopoly rents. Both risks would affect environmental efficiency, either by reducing the innovation in the sector or by over‐protecting ‘greener’ pesticides from c

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030205

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThis paper aims at providing a preliminary economic analysis of the efficiency of an emerging environmental policy instrument: the so‐called voluntary agreement. The use of a data base we have built containing 75 existing agreements in 12 OECD countries allows us to stylise these empirical objects. They are mutually agreed contracts signed between a national administration and a coalition of firms. They include a set of physical pollution reduction objectives to be reached by the firms. According to classical economic categories, they are similar to a traditional policy instrument, i.e. direct regulation, but one which has been devised after an intense negotiation process. As regards efficiency, the key question lies in the impact of such negotiations.In our analytical framework, we distinguish two subjects of negotiation: the collective environmental objective, i.e. the physical amount of pollution to be globally suppressed via the completion of the contract, and the means required to reach the collective objective, i.e. the allocation rule of private pollution reduction objectives. According to these categories a major asymmetry arises in the negotiation structure. When the dominant dimension of the negotiations concerns the environmental objective, firms are clearly opposed to the administration because of their eagerness to obtain as low an objective as possible. In that case, voluntary agreements do not seem to be an original policy approach. They can be compared with classical consultation processes of interested parties when designing new regulations and raise similar questions: the efficiency of information collection and the dangers of regulatory capture. But when the subject being bargained concerns the means to reach environmental objectives which have already been fixed, individual firms become rivals.The logic of such negotiations lies in inter‐firm bargaining arbitrated by the administration. Voluntary agreements tend to be an original negotiation‐based policy instrument. Decentralised bargaining improves the allocative effic

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030206

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractIn this paper, we argue that environmental economists who have dedicated their attention to problems of market and regulatory failure have been remiss in ignoring the potential for failure in the one institution that actually manages environmental resources ‐ the business firm. Traditionally the firm has been modelled as a unitary, rational, optimisingpersona ficta.There is, however, abundant empirical and theoretical evidence to suggest that the business firm is an imperfect institution in that there are systematic deviations between the environmental objectives of the firm's leaders (principals) and the actions of the firm's employees (agents) which determine environmental performance.In the paper, we draw parallels between the causes of market failure and public policy tools to correct them on one hand and the causes of organisational failure and the management tools suited to their remedy on the other. Although much of the paper is concerned with the interrelationship between public policy that promotes sustainability and business policy to fashion a sustainable enterprise, our work is relevant irrespective of the reason why a firm's principal may want to improve environmental performance. No matter what the reason, the principal must concern him‐ or herself with operationalising objectives in management systems. It is consistent with the precautionary principle to assume that employees will do what the firm measures and rewards, not what its principal says is important.We build a verbal model, based on the language of principal‐agent theory, to analyse how different management instruments might be employed to improve the firm's environmental performance. The model is one of three decision makers in a vertical hierarchy. Each of the first two has various instruments at its disposal to influence the behaviour of the agents subordinate to it. In the end, the goal is to ensure consistency between social, economic, and personal objectives.The specific management tools we analyse, with reference to the formal modelling which has appeared in the literature, include the compensation system, quantification and monitoring of non‐financial objectives, internal pricing, horizontal task restructuring, centralisation vs. decentralisation of decision making, and corporate sanctions of agents for negligence.We conclude the paper by reiterating that the corporate policy statements to the effect that the firm should respect the environment are insufficient to ensure that result. In addition, firms' principals must operationalise that goal in the systems of measurement and control which govern the behaviour of those who really matter ‐ the

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030207

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractOrganisations face increasing demands to measure their environmental performance. This is necessary in order to achieve sustainable development to reassure financial stakeholders that their investments are not at risk, to satisfy the demands of regulators and other non‐financial stakeholders and to provide information for customers and employees. Measures can be grouped into ten generic categories ‐ impact, risk, emissions /waste, input, resource, efficiency, customer, financial, normalised and aggregate. At least six different approaches to using measures can be identified ‐ production, auditing, ecological, accounting, economic and quality. Although there has been some limited cross‐fertilisation, in most cases they have developed in isolation from each other and have had different drivers, measurement focii and metrics. In order to achieve the comparison, integration and business relevance which is routine in financial performance measurement, a seventh approach ‐ that of strategic environment‐related performance measurement ‐ is both needed and beginning to develop. The long term challenge is to stretch measurement systems to include the sustainability of business activities (through impact measures) and the competitive advantage they are creating (through customer and financial measures). A ‘balanced scorecard’ of measures is essential too, as is clear identification of the customers of the measures. The comparison which is facilitated by standardised measurement is also a powerful spur to continuous improvement of environm

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030208

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractLife cycle theories suggest that businesses evolve through a number of stages: from an embryonic stage of introduction to growth, maturity, and decline. The force that propels their development is consumer acceptance. Industries pass through life cycles as well. However, not all industries pass through each stage of the life cycle, and the duration of stages varies across industries. Some industries skip the slow introductory phase; others avoid the decline stage and are continually revitalised through technological innovation. Still others continue to show substantial promise, but fail to take‐off. It is this industry condition, persistent promise without corresponding growth, that we characterise as extended gestation. We believe that energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) businesses in Minnesota face the challenge of extended gestation. In this paper, we review the literature on the traditional stages of industry development, explore some of the factors that may lead an industry to remain in a state of extended gestation, and report the results of a study undertaken to better understand the factors that affect the growth of EERE businesse

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030209

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to discuss whether the transnational aluminium corporations currently involved in Jamaica's bauxite/alumina industry are promoting an ecologically sustainable industrial development (ESID). ESID is defined as those patterns of industrialisation that enhance economic and social benefits for present and future generations without impairing basic ecological processes. This discussion will be pursued by comparing actual industrial performance against three proposed conditions that this pattern of industrialisation must satisfy if it is to be deemed ecologically sustainable: (1) It must minimise the degradation of the environment, (2) it must make the most efficient use of man‐made and natural capital and (3) it must promote equity. These criteria are applied to two major environmental problems related to bauxite mining and storage of hazardous bauxite waste; rehabilitation of mined out bauxite fields and storage of hazardous bauxite residue.My findings indicate that the current activities of Jamaican bauxite/alumina production to a certain extent can be characterised as ecologically sound, insofar as the biosphere is not severely degraded. This is due to several measures initiated both to prevent environmental degradation as well as enhancing a more efficient use of production inputs. To be deemed ecologically sustainable, however, the industrial activity must also in accordance with the proposed criteria, promote equity. Regardless of extensive corporate initiatives beyond regulatory compliance, a significant share of Jamaica's potentially productive lands remains destroyed and/or occupied. Thus, 1 question whether the present pattern of Jamaican bauxite/alumina production can be characterised as ecologically sustainabl

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030210

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractCommunity Advisory Panels (CAPs) are currently being sponsored by the American chemical industry as a way to repair lost trust. Over 200 CAPs are currently in operation. Their goals, composition and impact vary. Like governmental advisory committees they run the risk of being vehicles of persuasion as opposed to bodies which bring about organisational or health and safety changes. This article reviews the evidence we have to date about CAP operations and sets an agenda for future research.

ISSN:0964-4733    

DOI:10.1002/bse.3280030211

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY