Johnstone, NickLabonne, Julien2012-03-302012-03-302009Ecological Economics09218009https://hdl.handle.net/10986/5890In this paper we explore the motivation for the introduction of environmental management systems, and their certification. A distinction is drawn between their role in bringing about better compliance or improved performance, and as external indicators of good environmental practices to both other market participants and regulatory authorities. Drawing upon a database of approximately 4000 facilities in seven OECD countries, empirical evidence is found for the role that both factors play in encouraging the adoption and certification of EMS's, but that the relative importance of different factors varies according to facility size.ENIndustry Studies: Manufacturing: General L600Corporate CultureSocial Responsibility M140Pollution Control Adoption CostsDistributional EffectsEmployment Effects Q520Environmental Economics: Government Policy Q580Journal ArticleWorld Bank