JOSEPH M. SABEL
Oakland, CA

Abstract: Beyond Compliance: Environmental Management Strategies For The Next Millennium

With the growth of stringent environmental laws in the 1970s, corporate strategies were characterized by ignorance, denial, and, finally, forced acceptance. Regulations expanded faster than corporate culture could adjust. Spurred by public activism, it became essential for politicians to "do something" about the environment. And they did with a vengeance.

By the late '80s nearly every company had an environmental program. The stand-alone environmental department was ubiquitous. Expensive, rigid, command and control management was established to reduce liability exposure.

As we enter the 21st century this is simply not good enough. These management structures are significant cost centers. They are unable to affect continuous improvement. They place their organizations at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. To reduce costs, gain efficiency, and continue to reduce exposure, corporations must adjust their cultures. Environmental compliance must become integrated vertically through the entire structure, from CEO to janitor.

These changes will not occur so the marketing department can promote "green" products. It won't happen out of altruism. Nor will it occur because it is required, though all are true. Businesses will do these things simply because of the positive impact on the bottom line. Each and every change will have to pass a strict costbenefit analysis. The result will be faster, better, and cheaper operation. The best are already there.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90928©1999 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas