The role of management accounting practices as facilitators of the environmental management

Abstract

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the role of management accounting practices as facilitators of the environmental management.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study involving semi‐structured interviews with environmental and accounting managers from six Spanish factories has been carried out to analyse how four management accounting practices commonly used at operational level – investment appraisals, costing systems, budgets and performance measures – may reinforce the environmental management and guarantee the maintenance of an environmental management system according to the European Community's Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).FindingsThe analysis suggests that management accounting practices operate as a facilitator mechanism for the environmental management by reinforcing the four EMAS significant elements: commitment to the continual improvement of the environmental performance; compliance with environmental legislation; communication with interested parties; and employee involvement. However, evidence seems to support business case arguments since accounting serves a double function: as a facilitator for the environmental management, and as a barrier for a further accountability‐based environmental management.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has been developed at plan level, but the influence of the top management might be analysed as well in order to explore how these management accounting practices are translated into upper organisational level.Practical implicationsThe analysis helps to understand the complex nature of the business case as different nuances are identified when considering the different practices.Originality/valueThe paper shows how linked to business case arguments, small arena for internal and for external accountability are emerging.