Assessing the effectiveness of ISO 14001 in managing and evaluating environmental impacts: a case study of a logistics company
March 31, 2026
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| Article Title: | Assessing the effectiveness of ISO 14001 in managing and evaluating environmental impacts: a case study of a logistics company |
| Authors: | Trirat T., Chouafa M., Benabbas K., Benhalima H., Ali Rachedi S., Rouaiguia I., Cheikhaoui Y. |
| Affiliation: | Environmental Research Center (CRE), 23000 Annaba, Algeria National Higher School of Technology and Engineering in Annaba, Algeria |
| Abstract: | The logistics sector is a major contributor to environmental degradation, particularly in emerging economies where regulatory oversight is weak. This study investigates the effectiveness of ISO 14001:2015 implementation at Condor Logistics, a leading Algerian transport and distribution company. Using a qualitative single-case study design combining document analysis, direct observation, and external validation, we applied a severity–frequency criticality matrix to evaluate environmental aspects. Results indicate that the Environmental Management System (EMS) effectively addresses internal operational risks (e.g., diesel spills, oily wastewater), enabling low-cost, practical improvements. However, it fails to manage external environmental pressures, notably toxic gas emissions from a neighboring facility, despite their high criticality (C = 12). This gap reveals a systemic limitation in operationalizing Clause 6.1.2 on “influenceable aspects.” To our knowledge, this is the addresses this gap to apply a rigorous quantitative assessment of environmental aspects and critically analyze externality management within an Algerian logistics context. We argue that ISO 14001’s strategic potential in complex industrial ecosystems depends on strengthening collaborative governance mechanisms for cross-boundary risks. The findings contribute to the growing literature on EMS effectiveness in resource-constrained settings and offer actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers in emerging economies. |
| Keywords: | EMS, logistics sustainability, environmental externalities, emerging economies, criticality assessment. |
| *Correspondence: | Trirat Tabet, Environmental Research Center (CRE), 23000 Annaba, Algeria, email: trirat.tabet@gmail.com |
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