My research aims to get a better understanding of voluntary environmental programs (VEPs) in the developing world by looking specifically at the ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) certification scheme in Thailand. The research will explore (i) the motivations for firms to adopt ISO 14001, (ii) the relationship between VEP adoption and firm environmental performance, (iii) the relationship between firm financial benefits and VEP adoption, and (iv) the role of the government in both promotional policies as well as the firm's perception of them. The study will focus on three industrial sectors: food products, electronics and electrical appliances, and textiles and clothing.