All these issues are captured in the M-ISO model (Fig. 2)
by two processes: understanding and accepting and communicating
and learning. We found out that these two processes
are closely interlinked and contributed to the acceptance/
non-acceptance of ISO 14001 EMS and, more importantly,
to its maintenance and continuous improvement. Both
CSOs demonstrated that through the involvement, communication
and participation in the ISO 14001 EMS people outside
of the EMS team could contribute to the improvement
of ISO 14001 EMS. This in turn increased the level of its acceptance.
On the other hand, people, who did not have
a chance to contribute, showed negative attitudes to the ISO
14001 EMS. Not surprisingly, these respondents also had
only superficial awareness of ISO 14001 EMS itself, which
they acknowledged. These two processes are indeed the key
to improving the maturity level of ISO 14001 EMSs in
general.