Environmental management has become a fundamental concern for organizations, customers, and
citizens, yet there are few environmental management metrics that guide toward environmental
excellence. This research presents a detailed qualitative model of the evolution of environmental
management of a firm through the definition of maturity stages and causal influences. The model
provides a technique for assessing maturity stages as well as steps that can assist or negate their
ecological advancement. The causal-based classification helps companies to understand the need
for nontechnical elements in the process, such as top management commitment. This article
also contributes to the literature on integrative multimethod research, as it brings together
several approaches to environmental management