Experiences with integrated management systems for two small companies in Austria

A basis for understanding the approaches to sustainable development can be established by translating sustainable development into small steps relevant to the actual conditions of the companies. These steps are the application of cleaner production methods, followed by an integrated management system and optimising the supply chain relations and consequently the products. This procedure forms an effective way to start to understand sustainable development and to develop sustainable strategies in companies. Cleaner production is an effective approach to analyse the productive processes. It aids to reducing use of chemicals and generation of waste and emissions. At the same time it helps to sensitise workforce and management for environmental problems caused by the enterprise including health and safety. Especially in small companies this means at the same time immediate and visible improvement in the situation of occupational health, quality and environmental performance. In this document, the authors present and analyse two case studies that demonstrate that real experiences in improving environmental and economic performance by improving processes and procedures occurred and motivate the company's leadership, suppliers and employees to continue to make additional improvements. The range of focus is expanded step by step to include suppliers, customers, the products and the societal role of the company. Continuous learning and improvement resulted from this process. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.