The Social Shaping of Environmental Mangement based on ISO 14001 in Danish and Thai Textile and Garment Sectors

The social shaping of ISO 14001 in Danish and Thai textile and garment sectors is discussed based on Danish case studies and evaluations and a Thai focus group interview. The precentage of ISO 14001 certified companies in the sectors are five times higher in Denmark, but covers only around 5% of the companies. Top management policy and government support are reasons and occasions for implementation in both countries, whereas customer requirement only is a reason in Thailand. Employees’ role in the implementation is more developed in Denmark. In both countries companies have dialogue with the government about the interpretation of the regulation. In Denmark problems with the balance between consultant support and company-internal competence development are seen. The focus of ISO 14001 is more life cycle oriented in Denmark due to international policy and the manufacturing of textile and garment outside Denmark. A combined focus on ISO 14001 covering the interests of the companies in industrialised, developing and newly industrialised countries might be found through negotiations.