This article examines the implications of turning a voluntary management instrument such as Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) into a compulsory one. Environmental Management Systems are voluntary operational management tools that can help firms to both reduce their impact on the natural environment and gain financial benefits (win-win strategy). However, some countries have lately enacted environmental regulations to pressurise firms to adopt EMSs. To this end, the findings of the previous studies have been examined with the help of a case study in Greece in order to identify management awareness in EMS-certified Greek firms in terms of the mandatory character of EMS adoption. The article particularly aims to examine the similarities and differences in the voluntary versus mandatory implementation of EMS, arising both from the present study as also from previous studies.
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