Abstract
The study is based on the chemical companies in South Africa that have integrated the environmental sustainability principles into their business strategy. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of environmental sustainability in South African chemical companies and investigate associated challenges and benefits in integrating environmental sustainability.
Data were collected using questionnaire administered to 150 chemical companies’ representatives in four sub-sectors. The effectiveness of environmental sustainability in the chemical industry was measured using compliance to regulation, protection, protection of groundwater, effective hazardous waste management, improved health and safety of employees, availability of required resources, and full commitment of senior management. This study also investigated the impact that came with the implementation of environmental sustainability principles.
The questionnaire was responded by 110 respondents out of which 98 were from Gauteng province. The main findings of the report were that the greatest challenges of integrating environmental sustainability principles in the chemical industry are lack of commitment from the senior management and resources of maintaining those principles. The study also found that benefits of integrating environmental sustainability principles are less legal issues, waste reduction, improved health and safety of employees, and competitive advantage. Lack of top management support was identified as the main barrier to effectively implementing and integrating environmental sustainability principles in chemical companies. The study found that the negative impact of integrating these...
M.Tech. (Operations Management)