Once the questionnaire has been developed, a pilot test has been conducted to validate and ensure the reliability of the survey questionnaire. For the pilot test, the survey has been conducted involving 30 respondents from the 10 different manufacturing companies located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Different levels of employees such as top management, senior management, supervisors and technicians were involved in the pilot test. From the pilot test, the validity and reliability of the survey have been ensured. The current study adopted Cronbach’s Alpha a reliability test conducted within SPSS to measure the internal consistency i.e. reliability of the measuring instrument (Questionnaire). It is most commonly used when the questionnaire is developed using multiple Likert scale statements and therefore to determine if the scale is reliable or not. Based on the pilot test result, all 80 items of the questionnaire have been considered for further survey. Tables 3.2 to 3.11 provide a summary of the pilot test details.
Table 3.2: Pilot Test – Part 2 Questionnaire Item - Total Statistics
Questionnaire Item Cronbach’s
Alpha if Item deleted
1. My Organisation has an environmental management system in place 0.863 2. My company’s EMS is certified to the ISO 14001 0.867 3. There is an Environment, Health and Safety (HSE) or Environmental
department at the facility.
0.869 4. Top management is taking accountability for the EMS implementation. 0.862 5. Top management is effectively implementing the environmental policy 0.858 6. My employer is serious on EMS performance reporting. 0.861 7. My employer is determining the environmental aspects 0.861 8. My company is maintaining compliance to the legal requirements 0.861
Table 3.1 continued
9. My company has established targets and objectives for all the significant environmental aspects.
0.859 10. My employer is providing the resources needed for the continual
improvement of the EMS.
0.859 11. My employer is not taking action to acquire the necessary competence
for the implementation of EMS.
0.877 12. All employees are not aware of the implementation of EMS. 0.874 13. I am not fully aware of the company’s environmental policy. 0.870 14. I am aware of the significant environmental aspects arising out of my
activities.
0.868 15. I am confused with my roles and responsibility in the implementation
of EMS.
0.875 16. I am not sure about the availability of the EMS documents in my
organisation.
0.862 17. I do not know about the operational control procedures for managing
significant environmental aspects.
0.869 18. I am able to follow the emergency response plan in case of any
potential emergency.
0.869 19. My employer is regularly monitoring and measuring environmental
performance.
0.861 20. Non-compliance issues are identified in the EMS implementation. 0.864 21. My employer is conducting the internal audit at regular intervals at
least once a year.
0.863 22. Top management is conducting the review meeting at least once a
year to ensure the effectiveness of the EMS implementation.
0.856 23. My employer is committed to the continual improvement of EMS to
enhance environmental performance.
0.857 24. My company is not taking necessary corrective and preventive actions
to rectify the non-conformances.
0.871
25. EMS is implemented strictly in my company. 0.855
26. All employees are involved in the implementation of EMS. 0.852
Table 3.3: Pilot Test – Part 2 Questionnaire – Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha Cronbach's Alpha Based on Standardized
Items
Number of Items
0.869 0.896 26
The Value for Cronbach’s alpha, in this case, is 0.869 and it reflects the high reliability of the measuring instrument. Furthermore, it indicates a high level of internal consistency concerning the variables for decision-making.
Table 3.4: Pilot Test – Part 3 Questionnaire Item - Total Statistics
Questionnaire Item Cronbach’s
Alpha if Item deleted
1. Implementation of EMS cause extra workload to my regular activities. 0.602 2. Environment management system increased customer satisfaction. 0.486 3. Implementation of EMS protects the environment by controlling the
pollution arising out of the company activities.
0.510 4. Corporate image is enhanced with the implementation of EMS in my
company.
0.457 5. EMS increased the productivity and market share of our company. 0.440
6. EMS increased team effort and team spirit. 0.451
7. EMS lowers environment-related costs and fees. 0.486 8. EMS increases the profit margin of the company. 0.463 9. EMS increases the company’s access to new customers. 0.792 10. EMS enables direct savings through reductions in resource usages. 0.426 11. Implementation of EMS is necessary for manufacturing industries. 0.511 12. The implementation of ISO 14001 will affect my employment in a
positive way.
0.533 13. EMS improves the operational safety of the organization. 0.485 14. EMS provides economic advantages for the organization in the local
market.
0.465
Table 3.5: Pilot Test – Part 3 Questionnaire – Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha Cronbach's Alpha Based on Standardized
Items
Number of Items
0.528 0.803 14
Cronbach's Alpha is below 0.7 which reflects that the data is less reliable. The value for Cronbach’s Alpha, in this case, is 0.528 and it reflects less reliability of the measuring instrument. Furthermore, it indicates the low level of internal consistency concerning the variables for the benefits of implementing EMS in the manufacturing sector.
Table 3.6: Pilot Test – Part 4 Questionnaire Item - Total Statistics
Questionnaire Item Cronbach’s
Alpha if Item deleted
1. Top management commitment towards an eco-friendly environment influences the company to implement EMS effectively.
0.842 2. Customers influence on EMS certification such as ISO 14001. 0.844 3. Degree of competition influences the company to implement EMS to
have a competitive edge.
0.845 4. Pressure from the community, including non-governmental
organizations, environmental groups, neighbourhood organizations and the media.
0.852
5. We implement the EMS to enhance the corporate image. 0.847 6. EMS encourages our company to adopt voluntary compliance with
local government regulations, industry standards and International Standards.
0.841
7. Lowering costs and risks, are among the economic drivers for EMS adoption and certification.
0.827 8. The needs to increase process efficiency is one of the economic drivers
for EMS adoption and certification.
0.839 9. The legal requirements are the main reason for the company to
implement environmental initiatives.
0.842 10. EMS assists in avoiding legal violations/fines/penalties. 0.871 11. The characteristics of the product make it necessary to implement
EMS.
0.862
Table 3.7: Pilot Test – Part 4 Questionnaire – Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha Cronbach's Alpha Based on Standardized
Items
Number of Items
0.859 0.879 11
Cronbach's Alpha is above 0.7 which reflects that the data is reliable. The value for Cronbach’s Alpha, in this case, is 0.859 and it reflects the high reliability of the measuring instrument. Furthermore, it indicates a high level of internal consistency concerning the variables for drivers that drive the implementation of EMS in the manufacturing sector.
Table 3.8: Pilot Test – Part 5 Questionnaire Item - Total Statistics
Questionnaire Item Cronbach’s
Alpha if Item deleted
1. I have adapted to the EMS way of doing my activities. 0.462 2. I am having a stressful work environment ever since EMS has been
implemented.
0.446 3. I do not want to implement EMS as I have fear of the unknown. 0.366 4. I do not like changes while implementing the EMS. 0.336 5. My company spent a lot of money in implementing the EMS. 0.373 6. We do not have the technology to reduce pollution. 0.432 7. I am familiar with how EMS works in my company. 0.521 8. I am not worried about the EMS, because there is no enforcement. 0.470 9. We have competent persons to implement and maintain the EMS
certification.
0.511 10. I have been provided clear instructions on how to protect the
environment.
0.480 11. I have been given the opportunity to acquire the relevant knowledge
on EMS by means of training.
0.463
12. I need more training on the EMS. 0.489
13. The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi is strict in enforcing the environmental laws.
0.469
Table 3.9: Pilot Test – Part 5 Questionnaire – Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha Cronbach's Alpha Based on Standardized
Items
Number of Items
0.472 0.461 13
Cronbach's Alpha is below 0.7 which reflects that the data is less reliable. The value for Cronbach’s Alpha, in this case, is 0.472 and it reflects less reliability of the measuring instrument. Furthermore, it indicates the low level of internal consistency concerning the variables for the challenges faced by the organization in the implementation of EMS.
Table 3.10: Pilot Test – Part 6 Questionnaire Item - Total Statistics
Questionnaire Item Cronbach’s
Alpha if Item deleted
1.EMS training and other relevant programs can improve EMS performance.
0.827 2. By doing regular internal audit can improve the EMS performance. 0.835 3. Financial incentives can motivate employees for better involvement
in the EMS implementation.
0.818 4. Financial incentives are the better motivation than any other rewards
such as free trips, holidays, appreciation certificate etc.,
0.854 5. In enforcement and implementation of EMS, there is a need to provide
resources and support to the representatives at the management level.
0.826 6. There is a need to improve the communication processes between the
external and internal stakeholders in order to discuss the environmental aspects very actively.
0.814
7. Employees should be consulted in all EMS-related matters for effective implementation.
0.824 8. Environmental success measures must be made by a public statute -
to improve accountability and a broader level of engagement.
0.818 9. Increasing public knowledge of the ISO 14001 certification would
result in greater understanding and marketability.
0.818
Table 3.9 continued
10. Encourage staff feedback and suggestions for environmental management for effective implementation.
0.823 11. Management commitment is not necessarily important for the EMS
implementation.
0.892 12. Employees' involvement/participation will improve the EMS
performance.
0.818 13. Management has to allocate adequate resources (Finance, Human,
and Equipment) for improving the EMS performance.
0.828 14. Entities are encouraged to voluntarily comply with the requirements
of EMS.
0.821 15. Local, Abu Dhabi Emirate-wide, the legislative framework for the
EMS will improve the EMS implementation in all the industrial sectors.
0.836 16.Regular monitoring and measurement of Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs) will improve the effectiveness of EMS implementation.
0.834
Table 3.11: Pilot Test – Part 6 Questionnaire – Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha Cronbach's Alpha Based on Standardized
Items
Number of Items
0.840 0.891 16
Cronbach's Alpha is above 0.7 which reflects that the data is reliable. The value for Cronbach’s Alpha, in this case, is 0.840 and it reflects the high reliability of the measuring instrument. Furthermore, it indicates a high level of internal consistency concerning the variables for the improvements required in EMS.
Even though parts 3 & 5 of the questionnaire were reflected as low levels of internal consistency, it’s been decided to maintain all the questionnaire items for the actual survey because the sample size can influence the results for better or worse. Further, all the questions were very important for further analysis as they were developed in line with the hypothesis and provided significant information based on the ISO 14001:2015 EMS requirements.
3.7 Data Collection
The data collection methods consist of procedures by which a researcher collects valuable data about a topic and the study variables so that the research can evaluate outcomes, fulfil the research aims and objectives, answer research questions and test hypotheses. The data collection methods should be accurate as irrelevant data can affect the research outcomes and their validity and credibility (Igwenagu, 2016). Various kinds of tools are available for the data collection for the researchers like observation, focus group discussion, interviews and questionnaires. The data collection method is divided into two major forms:
3.7.1 Primary Data Collection
The raw data is collected from the subjects in their natural setting or at the source so that original data could be collected. The primary data collected can be tailored by the researcher for the research and the target population should be identified clearly (Hox &
Boeije, 2005).
Qualitative data collection is not numerical and does not require statistical analysis or any sort of mathematical calculations for the analysis of data. For example, the behaviour, feelings or emotions are collected as qualitative data (Mertens, 2018).
Quantitative data are presented in numbers and statistical or numerical analysis is a must like a survey-based questionnaire that has close-ended questions for the collection of quantitative data (Sandelowski, 2000).
3.7.2 Secondary Data Collection Method
In this method, the secondary data is gathered from the existing literature which is already analyzed and tested by other researchers. This secondary data can be collected from the vast pool of literature like journal articles, reports, books, online libraries, magazines, eBooks, newspapers and government sites being less expensive to conduct (Daas & Arends- Tóth, 2012).
3.7.3 Chosen Data Collection Method
The present study utilized the primary data collection method using a survey-based questionnaire having 80 close-ended questions in the form of a 4-point Likert scale divided into six parts associated with EMS in manufacturing industries in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The questionnaires were given to the employees working in the manufacturing industries in Abu Dhabi, UAE