MNO3704
STUDY GUIDE
,ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - MNO3704
STUDY GUIDE
LEARNING UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 Aim of the learning unit
The purpose of Learning Unit 1 is to introduce students to the fundamental principles
and concepts of Environmental Management. Chapter 1 of the prescribed textbook,
Environmental Management: A Business Management Approach, edited by S.J. Smit
(2015), provides an introduction to the subject and explains the main factors that
influence environmental management and its implementation in organisations.
Students should understand the competencies and knowledge they are expected to
acquire from this learning unit. It is therefore important to study the learning outcomes
carefully and ensure that the central concepts are understood.
This learning unit explains the meaning of Environmental Management and its
relationship with the wider field of Business Management. It also examines the
importance of teamwork, particularly the contribution made by Cross-Functional Teams
(CFTs). Environmental Management is also linked to the constitutional rights of South
African citizens and has become an essential consideration in organisational planning
and managerial decision-making.
At the end of the learning unit, students are provided with self-assessment questions.
These questions should be attempted independently, without consulting the study guide
or prescribed textbook, to evaluate understanding of the material
,1.1.2 Learning outcomes
After completing this learning unit and studying the relevant sections of the prescribed
textbook, students should be able to:
Describe the meaning and scope of Environmental Management.
Explain the connection between Environmental Management and Business
Management.
Identify and explain the responsibilities of Cross-Functional Teams.
Discuss the development and emergence of Environmental Management.
Explain the importance of corporate social responsibility.
1.1.3 Content of the learning unit
To achieve the objectives and learning outcomes of this unit, students will study the
following topics covered in Chapter 1 of the prescribed textbook:
1. Defining Environmental Management.
2. The relationship between Environmental Management and Business
Management.
3. Cross-functional teams.
4. The emergence of Environmental Management.
5. Environmental Management and corporate social responsibility.
After studying these topics, students should demonstrate an understanding of the
principles of Environmental Management and how they operate within the broader
business environment.
1.1.4 Key concepts
The following terms are central to this learning unit and should be understood:
Environmental Management.
Business Management.
, National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA).
Environmental Management System (EMS).
POLC cycle.
PDCA cycle.
ISO 14000.
Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs).
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Sustainable development.
Interested and affected parties.
Corporate social responsibility.
Students should be able to explain each of these concepts after completing the learning
unit. Their meanings and applications are discussed in the prescribed textbook and the
relevant sections of this study guide.
1.2 DEFINING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Study the prescribed textbook section dealing with the definition of Environmental
Management.
Before exploring the practical application of Environmental Management, it is necessary
to establish what the concept means and what it covers. Definitions are important in any
academic discipline because they establish the boundaries and focus of the subject.
Environmental Management examines how organisations manage their interactions with
the natural environment through their business activities. Although it is connected to
other organisational functions, including operations management and financial
management, its main concern is the relationship between business activities and the
environment.
Understanding this definition also makes it easier to examine how Environmental
Management influences other business functions and how those functions, in turn,
affect environmental performance. The prescribed textbook further highlights the
STUDY GUIDE
,ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - MNO3704
STUDY GUIDE
LEARNING UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 Aim of the learning unit
The purpose of Learning Unit 1 is to introduce students to the fundamental principles
and concepts of Environmental Management. Chapter 1 of the prescribed textbook,
Environmental Management: A Business Management Approach, edited by S.J. Smit
(2015), provides an introduction to the subject and explains the main factors that
influence environmental management and its implementation in organisations.
Students should understand the competencies and knowledge they are expected to
acquire from this learning unit. It is therefore important to study the learning outcomes
carefully and ensure that the central concepts are understood.
This learning unit explains the meaning of Environmental Management and its
relationship with the wider field of Business Management. It also examines the
importance of teamwork, particularly the contribution made by Cross-Functional Teams
(CFTs). Environmental Management is also linked to the constitutional rights of South
African citizens and has become an essential consideration in organisational planning
and managerial decision-making.
At the end of the learning unit, students are provided with self-assessment questions.
These questions should be attempted independently, without consulting the study guide
or prescribed textbook, to evaluate understanding of the material
,1.1.2 Learning outcomes
After completing this learning unit and studying the relevant sections of the prescribed
textbook, students should be able to:
Describe the meaning and scope of Environmental Management.
Explain the connection between Environmental Management and Business
Management.
Identify and explain the responsibilities of Cross-Functional Teams.
Discuss the development and emergence of Environmental Management.
Explain the importance of corporate social responsibility.
1.1.3 Content of the learning unit
To achieve the objectives and learning outcomes of this unit, students will study the
following topics covered in Chapter 1 of the prescribed textbook:
1. Defining Environmental Management.
2. The relationship between Environmental Management and Business
Management.
3. Cross-functional teams.
4. The emergence of Environmental Management.
5. Environmental Management and corporate social responsibility.
After studying these topics, students should demonstrate an understanding of the
principles of Environmental Management and how they operate within the broader
business environment.
1.1.4 Key concepts
The following terms are central to this learning unit and should be understood:
Environmental Management.
Business Management.
, National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA).
Environmental Management System (EMS).
POLC cycle.
PDCA cycle.
ISO 14000.
Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs).
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Sustainable development.
Interested and affected parties.
Corporate social responsibility.
Students should be able to explain each of these concepts after completing the learning
unit. Their meanings and applications are discussed in the prescribed textbook and the
relevant sections of this study guide.
1.2 DEFINING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Study the prescribed textbook section dealing with the definition of Environmental
Management.
Before exploring the practical application of Environmental Management, it is necessary
to establish what the concept means and what it covers. Definitions are important in any
academic discipline because they establish the boundaries and focus of the subject.
Environmental Management examines how organisations manage their interactions with
the natural environment through their business activities. Although it is connected to
other organisational functions, including operations management and financial
management, its main concern is the relationship between business activities and the
environment.
Understanding this definition also makes it easier to examine how Environmental
Management influences other business functions and how those functions, in turn,
affect environmental performance. The prescribed textbook further highlights the
