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Comparing environmental performance

Comparing environmental performance. Environmental benchmarking for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Nordic tourism industry Anne Maria Sparf. Is environmental benchmarking a viable methodology for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Nordic tourism industry?.

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Comparing environmental performance

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  1. Comparing environmental performance Environmental benchmarking for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Nordic tourism industry Anne Maria Sparf

  2. Is environmental benchmarking a viable methodology for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Nordic tourism industry?

  3. Flow of presentation • Benchmarking and environmental benchmarking • SME characteristics and needs • A survey of Nordic tourism companies • New methodology for evaluating the suitability of environmental management tools for SME’s • Results from the evaluation of ten tools • Conclusions

  4. What is benchmarking and environmental benchmarking?

  5. Benchmarking as a business tool A process to: • Analyze business activities • Make comparisons • Identify the performance gap • Improve performance Goals: Continuous improvement Improved business performance: Competitive advantage

  6. Environmental benchmarking • An environmental management tool • Benchmarking of environmental performance by measuring and comparing key figures • A tool to help companies assess their level of environmental performance and improve it • Leads to cost savings and improved competitiveness

  7. In what ways is benchmarking present in environmental management tools?

  8. Levels of benchmarking Comparisons against competition Comparisons within company

  9. What are the special characteristics and needs of SMEs?

  10. Lack of resources: Staff, time, finance… Need of assistance due to little experience and knowledge of environmental issues Need to concentrate on vital business issues, survival from day to day Unwillingness to consider environmental issues as a business aspect Stakeholder demands on improving environmental performance • A need for environmental management tools that: • Require little resources to implement • Are simple and easy to use • Have adequate support functions available • Lead to business benefits such as cost savings, improved competitiveness and image • Have a positive effect on environmental performance SME characteristics and needs

  11. Survey to Nordic tourism companies • A digital email survey to 527 tourism SMEs in the Nordic countries • 50 answers were received; response rate 9,5% • An additional questionnaire to Tourism Industry Associations in the Nordic countries • Comparison to existing research results

  12. Environmental performance Compared with other companies in the field, how would you assess your environmental performance?

  13. Steps taken to improve environmental performance Which of the following steps have you taken to improve your environmental performance? Please mark all the steps that your company has applied.

  14. Investment in improving environmental performance Would your company be ready to invest in improving environmental performance?

  15. What features in tools are important for companies? What attributes would you consider important for a system designed to measure and manage your environmental performance? Score from 1 to 5; 1 = not at all important, 5 = very important. The system should...

  16. The most important benefits What do you think is/should be the most important benefit of a system designed to measure and manage the environmental performance of your company?

  17. The most important challenges What do you think would be/is the most important challenge in applying a system to measure and manage your environmental performance?

  18. How can SME needs be taken into account?

  19. A methodology for evaluating environmental management tools • How can one assess the suitability of environmental management tools for SMEs? • How can the strengths and weaknesses of tools be assessed in an effective manner? • How can tools using benchmarking methodology be compared to each other?

  20. Deciding the target group Establishing the purpose and goal of the evaluation Defining the Choice criteria Choosing the tool/s for evaluation Gathering information about the tool/s Information sources Performing a qualitative analysis of the tool/s based on SME needs SME needs Establishing the level/s of benchmarking present in the tool/s Levels of benchmarking Final ranking and conclusions Evaluation template

  21. Qualitative analysis based on SME needs

  22. European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) Total score: 13 of 25 (Average 15,3)

  23. Green Globe 21 Company Standard Total score: 17 of 25 (Average 15,3)

  24. Eco-lighthouse/Miljöfyrtaarn Total score: 19 of 25 (Average 15,3)

  25. The Nordic Swan for hotels Total score: 16 of 25 (Average 15,3)

  26. Green Tourism Business Scheme Total score: 20 of 25 (Average 15,3)

  27. TourBench for accommodation Total score: 17 of 25 (Average 15,3)

  28. Recommendations • Green Globe 21 for all sectors of tourism • The Nordic Swan for larger hotels • Eco-lighthouse for other industries

  29. Recommendations • TourBench for accommodation services • Many existing tools could be improved by adding comparison against others and against Best Practice • Any new tools would benefit from a similar approach as in the Green Tourism Business Scheme

  30. Conclusion Benchmarking of environmental performance is a viable methodology for SMEs in the Nordic tourism industry: Fulfills SME needs adequately, Improves business and environmental performance

  31. Comparing environmental performance is an excellent way to improve environmental and business performance!! Win-Win situation !!

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