“…Individual practices may be favored by facilities wishing to avoid VEP certification and participation costs, or required prescribed practices (Lyon and Maxwell, 2004;Khanna et al, 2007;Reinhardt, 2000;Porter and van der Linde, 1995). Conversely, VEPs may be preferred by facilities seeking to communicate positive intentions, foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders, and more highly regulated organizations 1 (Alberini and Segerson, 2002;Khanna and Brouhle, 2009;Carmin et al, 2003;Davies and Mazurek, 1996;Videras and Alberini, 2000;Coglianese and Nash, 2008). VEPs originated as alternatives to prescriptive regulations, and regulatory agencies continue to expand VEP offerings, targeted primarily toward regulated facilities under their jurisdiction (Carmin et al, 2003;U.S.…”