The roles of ISO 14001, research institutions and professional organisations in environmental performance

Firms continue to face many challenges with managing global supply chain operations and environmental performance. This paper presents a conceptual relationship framework that associates government, enterprises, industry standards, professional organisations, research institutions and individuals that operate and influence environmental performance. Industry case studies and standards define the various roles and relationships of these major entities in environmental performance and demonstrate the impact that different constituent interactions have on organisations and the environment. This paper aims to advance a greater understanding of environmental programmes, standards and performance through consideration of complex relationships and strategic motives of agents and constituents that interact within these systems. This study illustrates several interactions of various entities related to environmental performance and provides a framework for further research.