Evaluating the Critical Success Factors in the Implementation of ISO 14001 Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Malaysia

ISO 14001 seeks commitment from industries, multinationals, and governments across the globe to support and develop a formal environmental management system to enhance environmental performance. In this regard, the main objective of this paper is to analyse the critical success factors for the ISO 14001 implementation by industries in Penang, Malaysia, by applying the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Purposive sampling was used in this study to select 34 companies in Penang certified with ISO 14001. A total of 34 Penang-based companies participated in this study. AHP was performed to determine the relative weights and objectives of these organisations’ significant performance variables and gains. The results of the study show that management (0.2694), organisational change (0.2477), external and social aspects (0.2457), and technological aspects (0.2373) are the main success factors for the ISO 14001 implementation. This study makes a new contribution to the ISO14001 implementation by industries in Malaysia. Further, this study provides important information for decision-makers involved in environmental management system implementation and serves as a useful reference for future researchers in the management of environment quality research area.