Introduction

Environmental considerations historically have little effect in determining a company’s competitive position, nor have companies been systematically scrutinized with environmental management assessments. Environmental problems are a key area of concern for the global community in the 21st century. In the manufacturing sector, reducing environmental loads in the various stages of manufacturing, use, and disposal of products will require ongoing review of raw material and component selection and procurement, production processes, distribution channels, packaging, and volume and ease of dismantling and recycling wastes. Corporations may also want to recognize the need for acting in a “good corporate citizen” fashion. Frankly, there is a vested interest in being proactive in supporting community recovery because of possible impacts on plant, distribution, and markets, as well as the impact on staff who may be displaced and stressed by the disaster event, and this may have a concomitant impact on productivity.