FRAGMENTING UNCERTAINTIES - SOME BRITISH BUSINESS RESPONSES TO STRATOSPHERIC OZONE DEPLETION

Businesses face growing environmental pressures for modification of pr ocesses and practice. In some cases environmental uncertainties thus c ompound more traditional commercial concerns regarding the financial v iability of business. This paper examines such various Interconnected and fragmenting uncertainties through a study of firms related to deba te about chemicals in stratospheric ozone The analysis draws upon inte rviews with key personnel in selected companies to consider perception s of uncertainty (environmental, commercial and regulatory) faced by p articular businesses, and their responses to such circumstances. Some businesses claimed in developing a strategic to uncertain science. The re were also indications of the manner in which attempted regulatory a nd technical resolution of environmental problems may create new diffi culties for business. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.