The Role of Trade Associations in Environmental Compliance Under Limited Enforcement: The case of small businesses

Abstract

Although a substantial body of research has considered the role of non‐state actors in establishing regulatory policies, relatively little research has focused on the influence of such actors at the implementation phase. To fill this gap in the literature, we extend the research on compliance motivations and institutional theory by exploring the role of trade associations in facilitating environmental compliance of small businesses, an area in which the problem of limited enforcement is particularly acute. Using data from dry‐cleaning facilities, we investigate the ways in which a trade association contributes to improvements in environmental performance among its members. The results reveal that the trade association can promote compliance by helping its members to become familiar with regulatory requirements and to develop technical capacity to meet them. Based on the findings, we propose ways to increase the practical involvement of non‐state actors to compensate for enforcement shortfalls. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Coordinating intermediaries: The prospects and limitations of professional associations in decentralized regulation

“…Additionally, the relationship between a professional association and the intermediaries it serves is likely a significant determining factor of whether the association is an effective coordinating mechanism. For example, literature on interest group intermediaries and regulatory compliance (Koski & May 2006;Lee 2011;Lee et al 2016) suggests that where intermediaries are reliant on professional associations for expertise and technical capacity, coordination is likely to be higher. This certainly appears to be the case in the organic certification contextparticularly for organic inspectors, many of whom depend on the IOIA for education and training.…”

“…For example, literature on interest group intermediaries and regulatory compliance (Koski & May ; Lee ; Lee et al . ) suggests that where intermediaries are reliant on professional associations for expertise and technical capacity, coordination is likely to be higher. This certainly appears to be the case in the organic certification context – particularly for organic inspectors, many of whom depend on the IOIA for education and training.…”

Como dirigentes de pequenas empresas empreendem em um contexto de limitações institucionais?

“…Talvez o exemplo mais claro foi o artigo que estudou nos Estados Unidos o caso das conformidades exigidas das pequenas empresas em relação a políticas regulatórias para proteção ambiental. Com o apoio de associações de classe, os dirigentes desenvolveram suas capacidades para cumprir com as determinações legais (Lee, Jung, & Kwak, 2016). Outra perspectiva interessante é de Olayinka (2016) na Nigéria, onde os dirigentes assumem o papel das instituições, treinando e desenvolvendo pessoas para impactar positivamente a sociedade.…”