Dimensions of Environmental Management: Legitimation of Government Regulation by Industrial Managers

A fruitful approach to studying environmental management is the analysis of industry-government relationships. Policy is defined and translated into action in this context. We find that industrial managers legitimize government regulation of industrial water use. However, the pattern of responses suggests that some of the support may be based on economic self-interest and industry's ability to control agency action. Managers legitimize a policy-setting role for federal agencies and an enforcement role for local and state government. The role of public opinion in industry-agency relationships is also discussed.