Analysis of technology-based pollution prevention capabilities : a study of selected companies in Sri Lanka and Malaysia | |
| Author | Thayalan, Kulasingam |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no. SM-99-60 |
| Subject(s) | Pollution prevention--Sri Lanka Pollution prevention--Malaysia |
| Note | A Research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Pollution prevention is receiving widespread emphasis internationally within multinational organisations and within individual countries. The driving force behind this emphasis is the concept of sustainable development and the hold that this concept has over planning strategies and long term solutions to global limits and north - south economic issues. Reflecting both an interest in saving money and avoiding increasingly stringent environmental end-of-pipe regulations, and responding to concern on the part of the consuming public for more environmental friendly activities, many industries have adopted pollution prevention with vengeance and have initiated broad programs. This research study is an attempt to find out the necessary technology resources and technology capabilities to successfully implement a pollution prevention program. In the context of developing countries such as Sri Lanka, it was felt that pollution prevention would be an appropriate and ultimate solution to pollution. Therefore it was decided to study the technology based success factors. Technology resources were identified from literature and classified in to four components namely Technoware, Humanware, lnforware and Orgaware, for this study purpose. Sophistication of technology resources were determined through a comparative analysis using selected components. An analytical framework was developed to determine each capability levels in the firms studied. In order to develop a framework the elements of technological capability were first identified and classified under four major categories namely Transaction capability, Operative capability, Innovative capability and Supportive capability. A set of "Environmental Specific Elements" was identified by the author and placed appropriately under the four major capabilities. Then the activities which are outcome of a firm's each technology capability were identified. Finally firms studied were checked to determine the extent to which each activity is carried out using a ranking scheme. This ranking scheme was converted to a scoring scheme using a five point scale to identify important capabilities which contributed to the success in pollution prevention in selected firms. Firms implemented pollution prevention program were identified from both Sri Lanka and Malaysia. From the analysis it was found that sophistication of Technoware and lnforware contributed more to the successful implementation of pollution prevention program. Among the capabilities it was found that the role of transaction and innovative capabilities had significant impact on the success. Finally the limitations of the study were discussed and recommendations were made to individual firms and countries based on the conclusion of the study. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Tang, John, C. S. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Visvanathan, C.;Lee, Jung Won |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | NORAD |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M.B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |