Beach Haven

​ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATIONS: EXPLORING THE CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP
By Andreas Ziegler and Jazmin Seijas Nogareda
IEEE Engineering Management Review, Vol. 41 No. 2, Second Quarter, June 2013, p. 72-86
 
The authors seek to explore causal effects of adoption of environmental management systems (EMS), voluntary environmental programs (VEP), and a specific VEP known as Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), specifically asking if such measures could be ‘reversely affected’ by environmental product or process innovation. An empirical literature review is also referenced. Ultimately the data seems to indicate some ambiguity to the question.
 
The paper offers a series of hypotheses related to the main question, then shows data collected through ‘econometric analysis’ of primarily German companies with ISO-14001 certification. The data is examined in order to understand simple and complex correlations, if any, encourage adoption of EMS and VEP if proven advantageous. Those most interested in such a question would include strategic planners at manufacturing companies, and regulatory bodies who may see motivation to encourage adoption though tax incentives.
 
The paper offers insights from literature review and specific data. The number of companies in the survey constitutes a large subset of the German economy. The authors themselves, however, note how the relationships among their chosen variables are complex, and limiting the variables further could mask actual causation. The authors are asking the right questions even if they cannot definitively point to specific causal relationships. From the perspective a scholar in the field of Science, Technology and Society (STS), the ideas directly relate to sociological interaction of policy (public and private), economic factorial influence on technological development, and a perceived need for scientific investigation into the specifics of environmental impact of process and policy implementation. 

For the mid-term this semester we selected two topics from among six. I wrote these in reverse order. The first to appear was actually the second I wrote, and was rushed in the process. I think it shows. 

My wife and I recently drove south to Georgia to spend Thanksgiving week with our daughter Kyra and her family. Like several of our children, Kyra is a certified SCUBA diver, but has not done much diving since her certification. She and I made a side trip to north Florida to go diving in a popular diving spring known as The Blue Grotto. It’s not far from where our nephew lives with his family so we were able to visit with them for a night. We got a short night dive that Friday, then two dives on Saturday before driving back to Georgia.

One of my church responsibilities is to work with the Stake Young Women President on stake sponsored youth activities. The activity planned last month was a movie night. I got the assignment to make sure all the tech was set up and working. I got word there is a portable large screen in the stake building. I called a brother I know in Aquia Ward to see if he knew anything about it. He described where he thought the screen is stored. Unfortunately to get to it required getting into the building. I have keys for a closet in the building, but not to the building itself. In the mean time I was scanning the Internet looking for screens to buy as an alternative, but for one reason or another never hit the add-to-cart button.

While wondering how to resolve the screen-need issue I decided to check my personal email. In it I found a note from Brother Zappe of the Garrisonville Ward. He is the Stake Executive Secretary. He sent me a personal code to give me access to the building. I had not reached out to him with a request. As a result I sent him this email:

Thank you! Perfect timing. You seem to be listening to the Spirit. I was just considering how I could get in to find and inspect the large projection screen we will need for the next stake youth activity. Brother Gillespie told me about it and where it is, but I had no way into the building.

Here is the response I got from him:

Great!! Well, likely the case. I was sitting here and it popped into my head that I need to issue the remainder of the codes. Glad it worked out!

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving season and I think what I am thankful for, I am thankful that Heavenly Father is involved in the details of the individual life of each of us. I’m grateful for the influence of the Spirit. I’m comforted to see others who are paying attention to moments of inspiration and acting on those promptings.

I hope each of us has experiences of similar note. Always act on them. I know in today’s culture being a ‘tool’ is thought of as a negative, but for me purposely being a tool of Heavenly Father is a goal. It’s His work. We can be a tool in His hands for the blessing of others.
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