The Effect of Strategic Management on Minimizing the Pollution of Oil Refinery (A case study on Tehran Oil Refinery)

Rate of pollution and so, different concerns about environmental effects of doing a project is becoming the main issue that capital cities increasingly are facing it. So, the purpose of this study was to assess and analyze the effects of strategic management on pollution reduction of oil refining processes in great Tehran area.

The present study is considered as a practical, descriptive and case study. The statistical population was managers of Tehran Oil Refinery (40 people) which were chosen by cluster sampling. Data was collected using a high reliability integrated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = more than 0.85) which was based on Delphi method and helped to identify and weigh the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats by SWOT. In the last analysis Friedman test used to determine the significance of each item. The best strategy was determined using QSPM (Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix).

The findings indicated that "the strategic plan in the refinery to reduce the pollution from oil refining processes in Tehran refinery," "occupational diseases due to the lack of appropriate protective equipment for workers," "Future development plans to reduce pollution of refinery processes ", " Destruction of vegetation and land degradation” can be ranked respectively as Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of pollution reduction caused by oil refining processes.

Many environmental threats, resource degradation and pollution result in incompatible activities.  Besides, as oil industry development is so important and reduction of environmental pollution is crucial too, it is necessary that oil managers make policies and take steps to protect environment, expand and develop the petroleum industry.  The findings indicated that following strategies play a key role in reducing the pollution of oil refining processes:1- Justify the oil industry officials about the importance of the Protection of environment by holding meetings and also enhancement of oil industry and environment organizations.2- Training and improvement of technical knowledge of refinery’s employees about reducing oil pollutions.3- Identifying and preventing some actions of oil refining processes that have negative effects on vegetation, environment and ecosystem.