Environmental management system's impact on corporate social responsibility : A case study of a multinational company operating in China

Abstract: Today, companies face a variety of environmental challenges, especially when it comes to evaluating energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact. This thesis examines how environmental management systems affects energy efficiency, and if it could contribute to sustainable development and increase corporate social responsibility. A case study research method was conducted on a multinational company and the empirical material is collected from the company's operations in China. The theoretical framework includes sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and environmental management systems. The results provide a model of calculation, in order to evaluate how the environmental management system affects energy efficiency. The analysis shows that the environmental management system has contributed to CSR practices in supporting the organization with guidelines toward continuous improvement of environmental impact, increased personal knowledge and some changes of production equipment. This has lead to that the case study company has managed to increase energy efficiency with respect to all energy sources, except water.