Using a case study approach, we investigated how companies use
EMSs to collect data and to inform company decisions. Nine U.S.
companies with different types of EMSs participated. For each
company, one representative facility was examined. Each case
study consisted of an initial conversation detailing the project and
verifying a company’s willingness and interest in participating,
research on publicly available environmental information, an exchange
of information on the companies EMS or environmental
programs, a site visit with a tour of the facility, a structured survey,
a set of open-ended questions, additional questions that arose
during the visit, and then followup contacts to fill in data gaps and
verify information.
The case studie