Environmental Management System to Improve Competitiveness for SMEs

Abstract

Nowadays, there are many SMEs economic activities which could cause damage for the environment. The occurring damage will cause negative effects for the sustainability of the environment and human life. Therefore, SMEs must undertake anticipatory measures in their economic activities. One of the ways can be achieved by implementing an environmental management system / EMS. SMEs applies EMS is not as a result of feareness of disobeying law, but it is more as an effort to build culture and life. It is an awareness that a company needs environment management and let the learning organization runs smoothly. The application of knowledge management is considered as an organization model that able to anticipate the future needs.The application of this EMS will provide benefits for the company, both in terms of economy (profitability) and in terms of the environment (the creation of a sustainable environment). At last, when there is achievement of the SMEs’ performance from both economic and non-economic, the competitiveness will also be increased. Competitiveness will encourage SMEs to continue to innovate and efficiency.

Keywords: Environmental Management System, Competitiveness, SMEs