Environmental Management System Adoption: Challenges for Sustainable Development in Algerian Agri-Food Companies

Authors

  • Nouara Boulfoul Researcher, Agriculture, Territory and Environment Division, Research Center in Applied Economics for Development, Algiers, Algeria
  • Malika Mahdid Associate Professor, Management Department, Higher School of Commerce, Algiers, Algeria
  • Wassila Hanafi Associate Professor, National Higher School of Advanced Technologies, Algiers, Algeria
  • Fatima Brabez Professor, Rural Economy Department, National Higher School of Agronomy, Algiers, Algeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.61201

Keywords:

EMS, ISO 14001, Agri-food companies, Benefits, Challenges

Abstract

The study, conducted between January and July 2024, identified the benefits and challenges faced by fifty-three ISO 14001-certified agri-food companies in Algeria. The current study’s findings indicated that implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) can result in significant cost savings by effectively managing natural resources, reducing waste, and controlling pollution. On the other hand, the significant challenges to adopt an EMS lie in the need for more collaboration from subcontractors, the fact that the savings achieved do not offset the expenses related to the rigorous implementation of management solutions, and the increase in management and operational costs. However, the implementation process requires significant effort and financial investment, which can be a limitation for some companies with significant positive correlations for parameters influencing the success of the adoption of the EMS system such as lowering costs (p = 0.0000), EMS adopting costs (p = 0.0021), and EMS maintenance costs (p = 0.0112) with EMS adoption. On the other hand, managerial education level (p = 0.021) and efforts to improve product quality (p = 0.010) exhibited significant negative correlations. Composite reliability values, ranging from 0.780 to 0.990, demonstrated strong internal consistency across the constructs measured.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

  • Nouara Boulfoul, Researcher, Agriculture, Territory and Environment Division, Research Center in Applied Economics for Development, Algiers, Algeria

    Professor, Rural Economy Department, National Higher School of Agronomy, Algiers, Algeria 

References

Ahmed, A., & Mathrani, S. (2023). Critical success factors for a combined lean and ISO 14001 implementation in the manufacturing industry: a systematic literature review. The Total Quality Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-12- 2022-0347

Bielski, S., Zieliñska-Chmielewska, A., & Marks-Bielska, R. (2021). Use of environmental management systems and renewable energy sources in selected food processing enterprises in Poland. Energies, 14(11), 3212. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14113212

Boiral, O., Guillaumie, L., Heras Saizarbitoria, I., & Tayo Tene, C. V. (2018). Adoption and outcomes of ISO 14001: A systematic review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 20(2), 411-432. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12139

Boulfoul, N., & Brabez, F. (2022). Implementation of food safety management in the food industry in Algeria : benefits and barriers factors. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 10(8), 1342-1351. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0805- 4535

Bravi, L., Santos, G., Pagano, A., & Murmura, F. (2020). Environmental management system according to ISO 14001: 2015 as a driver to sustainable development. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(6), 2599- 2614. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1985

Carrillo-Labella, R., Fort, F. & Parras-Rosa, M. (2020). Motives, barriers, and expected benefits of ISO 14001 in the agri-food sector. Sustainability, 12(5), 1724. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su12051724

Castka, P. & Balzarova, M. A. (2018). An exploration of interventions in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification context – A multiple case study approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 174, 1642– 1652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.096

Davydova, M. L., & Sharno, O. I. (2023). Digital transformation as a means of smart regulation of environmental management: Technology and practices for agrifood companies. In: Trukhachev, V.I. (eds) Unlocking digital transformation of agricultural enterprises. Innovation, technology, and knowledge management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13913-0_16

Espinosa, R. V., Soto, M., Garcia, M. V., & Naranjo, J. E. (2021). Challenges of Implementing Cleaner Production Strategies in the Food and Beverage Industry: Literature Review. Advances and Applications in Computer Science, Electronics and Industrial Engineering, 121–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33- 4565-2_8

Ferenhof, H. A., Vignochi, L., Selig, P. M., Lezana, Á. G. R., & Campos, L. M. S. (2014). Environmental management systems in small and medium-sized enterprises: an analysis and systematic review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 74, 44–53. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.03.027

Figurek, A., & Thrassou, A. (2023). An Integrated Framework for Sustainable Development in Agri-Food SMEs. Sustainability, 15(12), 9387. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129387

Granly, B. M., & Welo, T. (2014). EMS and sustainability: experiences with ISO 14001 and Eco-Lighthouse in Norwegian metal processing SMEs. Journal of Cleaner Production, 64, 194-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.08.007

Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research : Guidelines using an applied example, Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3), 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jclepro.2013.08.007

Hayat, N., & Lohano, H. D. (2024). Factors Influencing a Manufacturing Firm to Adopt ISO 14001 Standard. Journal of the Knowledge Economy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024- 02132-3

Herghiligiu, I. V., Robu, I. B., Pislaru, M., Vilcu, A., Asandului, A. L., Avasilcai, S., & Balan, C. (2019). Sustainable environmental management system integration and business performance : A Balance Assessment Approach Using Fuzzy Logic. Sustainability, 11(19), 5311. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195311

Hillary, R. (2004), Environmental management systems and the smaller enterprise. Journal of Cleaner Production, 12(6), 561– 569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2003.08.006

Ikram, M., Zhou, P., Shah, S. A. A., & Liu, G. Q. (2019). Do environmental management systems help improve corporate sustainable development? Evidence from manufacturing companies in Pakistan. Journal of Cleaner Production, 226(1), 628–641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.265

Journeault, M., Perron, A., & Vallières, L. (2021). The collaborative roles of stakeholders in supporting the adoption of sustainability in SMEs, Journal of Environmental Management, 287, 112349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112349

Kok Wei, K., & Li, Y. W. (2013). Measuring the impact of celebrity endorsement on consumer behavioural intentions : A study of Malaysian consumers, International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 14(3), 2– 22. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-14-03-2013-B002

Kashakova, G., Aimurzinov, M., Yeginbayeva, A., Mizambekova, Z., Khamitova, D., & Nakipova, G. (2022). Agri-Food Industry and Environmental Impact to Ensure Sustainable Development. Factors and Threats’ Awareness in the Post-Pandemic Period. Journal of Environmental Management & Tourism, 13(7), 1937- 1947.

Martin, F. (2020). Impact of organizational characteristics of Environmental Management Systems on environmental performance of private companies in France (Dissertation). https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-279513

Ociepa-Kubicka, A., Deska, I., & Ociepa, E. (2021). Organizations towards the evaluation of environmental management tools ISO 14001 and EMAS. Energies, 14(16), 4870. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/en14164870

Oliveira, J. A., Oliveira, O. J., Ometto, A. R., Ferraudo, A. S., & Salgado, M. H. (2016). Environmental Management System ISO 14001 factors for promoting the adoption of Cleaner Production practices. Journal of Cleaner Production, 133, 1384-1394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.013

Padilla-Bernal, L. E., Lara-Herrera, A., Rodríguez, A. V., & Loureiro, M. L. (2018). Views on sustainability and the willingness to adopt an environmental management system in the Mexican vegetable sector. International Food and Agribusiness Management

Review, 21(3), 423-436. https://doi.org/10.22434/IFAMR2017. 0015

Turyakira, P., Venter, E., & Smith, E. (2014). The impact of corporate social responsibility factors on the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 17(2), 157-172. https://hdl.handle. net/10520/EJC149998

Santos, G., Rebelo, M., Lopes, N., Alves, M. R., & Silva, R. (2016). Implementing and certifying ISO 14001 in Portugal: motives, difficulties and benefits after ISO 9001 certification. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 27(11-12), 1211-1223. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2015.1065176

Shah, S. A. R., Jamaludin, K. R., Talib, H. H. A., & Yusof, S. R. M. (2019). Integrated quality environmental management implementation in food processing SMEs: A case study of a developing country. The Total Quality Management Journal, 31(5), 740-757. https://doi.org/10.1080/14479338.2016.1233826

Testa, F., Heras-Saizarbitoria, I., Daddi, T., Boiral, O., & Iraldo, F. (2016). Public regulatory relief and the adoption of environmental management systems: a European survey. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 59(12), 2231– 2250. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2016.1139491

Viles, E., Santos, J., Muñoz-Villamizar, A., Grau, P., & Fernández Arévalo, T. (2021). Lean–green improvement opportunities for sustainable manufacturing using water telemetry in agri-food

industry. Sustainability, 13(4), 2240. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su13042240

Voinea, C. L., Hoogenberg, B. J., Fratostiteanu, C., & Bin Azam Hashmi, H. (2020). The relation between environmental management systems and environmental and financial performance in emerging economies. Sustainability, 12(13), 5309. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135309

Watson, M., & Emery, A. R. (2004). Environmental management and auditing systems: The reality of environmental self regulation. Managerial Auditing Journal, 19(7), 916-928. https:/ /doi.org/10.1108/02686900410549439

Waxin, M. F., Knuteson, S. L., & Bartholomew, A. (2020). Outcomes and key factors of success for iso 14001 certification: evidence from an emerging Arab gulf country. Sustainability, 12(1), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010258

Yu, W., & Ramanathan, R. (2015). An empirical examination of stakeholder pressures, green operations practices and environmental performance. International Journal of Production Research, 53(21), 6390–6407. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 00207543.2014.931608

Zimon, D., Madzík, P., Dellana, S., Sroufe, R., Ikram, M., & Lysenko Ryba, K. (2022). Environmental effects of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management system implementation in SSCM. The Total Quality Management Journal, 34(3), 418-447. https://doi.org/ 10.1108/TQM-01-2021-0025

Downloads

Published

2025-03-31

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 2 (2025): Indian Journal of Extension Education (Apr-Jun)

Section

Research Article

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Boulfoul, N., Mahdid, M., Hanafi, W., & Brabez, F. (Trans.). (2025). Environmental Management System Adoption: Challenges for Sustainable Development in Algerian Agri-Food Companies . Indian Journal of Extension Education, 61(2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2025.61201