Assessing environmental product declaration opportunities: a reference framework
为管理者提供操作指南和方法，帮助判断环境产品声明（EPD）在何种条件下能提升企业竞争力，并通过对17家意大利企业的实证分析来验证。
Abstract The growing awareness about environmental issues places greater responsibility on firms to transmit information about the environmental quality of their products. One of the most innovative ways to achieve this objective is through the ‘environmental product declaration’. Unfortunately, from an operating viewpoint, there is a very little evidence on the effects associated with the introduction of this label. In lieu of this context, the paper suggests operating guidelines and a methodological approach for managers who aim to understand under which conditions the EPD can represent a useful tool for the company's competitiveness. In particular, the paper will identify the specific peculiarities and requirements of the EPD; the EPD parameters of attractiveness, related to its potential costs and benefits; an operational framework in order to assess the EPD target audience. In this respect, an empirical analysis on 17 Italian firms will be carried out. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.