An Investigation into the Factors which Influence the Adoption of Green IT

Abstract

This chapter reports on a case study which investigated the adoption and implementation of Green IT within an Irish public sector organisation, namely Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh (OÉG). The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was employed as a theoretical lens for gathering and analysing data (Venkatesh et al, 2003), looking at how such factors as facilitating conditions, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and other moderating variables affect the intention to use Green IT, which for the purposes of this study is defined as “the environmentally responsible use of computers and related resources” (Harris, 2008). The study found that the most significant facilitating condition as regards employees’ willingness to adopt Green IT within OÉG was awareness of the expected benefits. Social influence was also found to be a major factor, and in this regard, the chapter concludes with a number of recommendations.