CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION 129
5.8 Discussion on Hypothesis Testing Results 148
To test hypothesis 1, survey data were evaluated to determine the successful adoption and implementation of the EMS by manufacturing firms in Abu Dhabi UAE. According to the findings of the survey, 57.7% of responders agree that EMS encourages their company to adopt voluntary compliance with local government regulations, industry standards, and International Standards, and out of that 62.4% of responders agree that they have adapted to the EMS way of doing my activities. The chi-square test was carried out to test the hypothesis and found that the Pearson chi-square value of 97.564 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that EMS has been readily adopted and implemented successfully by the manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi, UAE. When the above results were compared to
the related literature, one of the studies conducted in the auto component industry of Indonesia revealed that organisations are acquiring EMS certification in the hopes of improving their image and overall performance, and EMS is not found to be successful because it is unable to reduce the consequences of business process on the environment (Handayani & Moersidik, 2017). Hence, it can be said that there is a need for change in the working of the EMS framework.
To test hypothesis 2, survey data were analysed to determine whether an increase in cost is a significant challenge in implementing EMS in manufacturing firms. The results of a survey showed that 48.6% of responders agreed that EMS lowers environment-related costs and fees and out of that 48.5% of responders were disagree that their company spent a lot of money in implementing the EMS. Additionally, with the help of the Chi-square test, it found that the Pearson chi-square value of 77.892 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that an increase in cost is a major challenge for implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi.
The study examined survey data to determine whether EMS documentation is a considerable challenge in implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi.
According to the results of the survey, 36.6% of responders disagreed that they are not sure about the availability of EMS documents in their organization, and out of that 50% of responders were disagree that their company spent a lot of money in implementing the EMS.
Based on the chi-square test, it was found that the Pearson chi-square value of 64.044 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that EMS documentation is a major challenge for implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi. The study also tested hypothesis 4 to determine that the lack of legal authorities for EMS certification can
be a major challenge for implementing EMS in Abu Dhabi manufacturing firms. The results of a survey showed that there were 39.8% of responders agreed that legal requirements are the main reason for the company to implement environmental initiatives and out of that 75.1% of responders were agree that EMS encourages the company to adopt voluntary compliance with local government regulations, industry standards, and the International Standards. Based on the chi-square test, it was noticed that the Pearson chi-square value of 52.174 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that the lack of legal authorities for EMS certification is a major challenge for implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi.
To test hypothesis 5, survey data were analysed to examine whether lack of managerial support is a significant challenge in implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi. According to the results of the survey, 50.9% of respondents agree that there is a need to provide resources and support to the representatives at the management level and out of that 45% of responders agree that the legal requirements are the main reason for the company to implement environmental initiatives. Based on the chi-square test, it was found that the Pearson chi-square value of 52.25 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that the lack of managerial support is a major challenge for implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi.
The study analysed survey data to determine whether unawareness among employees towards EMS is a major challenge in implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi. According to the findings of the survey, 50.9% of responders agreed that there is a need to provide resources and support to the representatives at the management level for the implementation of EMS and out of that 37.2% of responders were agree that all employees
are not aware of the implementation of EMS. Based on the chi-square test, it was found that the Pearson chi-square value of 82.09 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that unawareness among employees towards EMS is a major challenge for implementing EMS in manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi.
To test hypothesis 7, the survey data were analysed to determine how the characteristics of the product influence the implementation of EMS, as well as how the public awareness of the ISO 14001 label will help to improve understanding and marketability.
Based on the results of the survey, 49.3% of responders agree that the characteristics of the product make it necessary to implement EMS and out of that 58.1% of responders agree that increasing public awareness of the ISO 14001 label will help to improve understanding and marketability. Based on the chi-square test, the Pearson chi-square value of 175.78 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that characteristics of the product influence the implementation of EMS, as well as the public awareness of the ISO 14001 label will help to improve understanding and marketability.
The study examined survey data to determine whether the corporate image is enhanced due to the EMS implementation in the manufacturing industries in Abu Dhabi.
According to the findings of the survey, 48.2% of responders agree that they implement the EMS to enhance the corporate image and out of that 55.5% of responders agree that there is a need to provide resources and support to the representatives at the management level.
Based on the chi-square test, the Pearson chi-square value of 220.70 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion corporate image is enhanced by the successful implementation of the EMS. When the above results were compared to the literature review, it was discovered that the benefits of EMS make a great impact on the corporate
environmental performance that is related to the management of the industrial waste stream.
It has been noted that those firms who adopted EMS are likely more choose the environmental-friendly option for experiencing growth in the market (Melnyk et al., 2003).
To test hypothesis 9, the survey data was analysed to determine how the level of competition influences the company's decision to implement EMS, as well as how EMS encourages the company to adopt voluntary compliance with local government regulations, industry standards, and international standards. The results of a survey showed that 51.8%
of responders agreed with the degree of competition influences the company implements EMS to have a competitive edge and out of that 62.4% of responders were agree with EMS encourages their company to adopt voluntary compliance with local government regulations, industry standards, and the International Standards. Based on the chi-square test, the Pearson chi-square value of 189.09 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that there is an association between the Degree of competition influences the company to implement EMS to have a competitive edge and EMS encourages our company to adopt voluntary compliance with local government regulations, industry standards, and the International Standards.
To test hypothesis 10, survey data were analysed to evaluate the drivers for EMS adoption and certification. According to the findings of the survey, 62.7% of responders agree that lowering costs and risks is the economic driver for EMS adoption and certification and out of that 79.2% of responders agree that the need of increasing process efficiency is one of the economic drivers for EMS adoption and certification. Based on the chi-square test, the Pearson chi-square value 388.08 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the
conclusion that the companies were interested and motivated to develop and implement EMS due to lowering costs and risks, and increasing process efficiency.
The study analysed survey data to determine the improvements required to overcome the challenges of implementing EMS in the manufacturing firms of Abu Dhabi. The results of a survey showed that 66.7% of responders strongly agreed that regular internal audits can improve the EMS performance and out of that 78.9% of responders were agree that management has to allocate adequate resources (Finance, Human, and Equipment) for improving the EMS performance. Based on the chi-square test, the Pearson chi-square value 123.082 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that conducting internal audits along with allocating adequate resources can improve EMS performance.
To test hypothesis 12, survey data were analysed to determine whether consultation with employees along with staff feedback and suggestions for environmental management can be useful for overcoming the challenges of EMS implementation. According to the results of the survey, 56% of respondents strongly agreed that employees should be consulted in all EMS-related matters and out of that 79.3% of responders were agree that staff feedback and suggestions are useful for effective implementation. Based on the chi-square test, the Pearson chi-square value 387.78 with a low p-value of 0.00 (p<0.05) supported the conclusion that consultation along with the staff feedback and suggestions are useful for overcoming the challenges at the time of implementing the EMS in the manufacturing firms.
Further, it was discovered that effective implementation and integration of EMS help to reduce the deficiencies that are related to a lack of awareness and knowledge of the management system along with appropriate training. It also focuses on the absence of an independent department for safety, quality, and environmental management with qualified
personnel in charge. Further, it reduces deficiencies caused by a lack of commitment and interest among personnel who have a negative attitude toward the documentation process due to company management's belief that certification costs are not considered a beneficial process with the help of effective EMS.
A few limitations were also found in the existing literature. Most of the studies found it difficult to collect data as there was a lack of environmental records in organizations. When using the medium of the survey for data collection, most of the studies got low response rates. There was no clear indication of how customer satisfaction increases with EMS, as it has been determined in the literature that the customers usually do not have any knowledge about EMS. As inferred from the literature, several organizations are aiming to implement EMS for enhancing their reputation and corporate image, with the ultimate aim of increasing their sales. If this is the case, then it is essential to understand the role and behaviour of customers towards EMS to understand the motivations for implementing EMS by the service-based organization.