Green Information Technology Practices Research Articles

MANAGING GREEN IT: A REVOLUTION FOR CRAFTING THE IDEA OF SMART CITY IN A DIFFERENT WAY

Green Information Technology (IT) denotes the policies and practices that firms should follow to manage IT operations to comply with green norms. Typically for a firm that mainly uses IT for its business, for mankind products or providing services, Green IT practices involve using IT in such a manner as to reduce carbon emissions or to use IT to monitor and manage carbon or other polluting emissions. There are mainly two aspects of Green IT practices: (i) Use IT efficiently to comply with green norms. (ii) Use IT to ensure other firm activities conform to green norms. Firms involved in making IT products or those who provide IT Services have to consider additional aspects of Green IT. The design of IT products follows Green Practices that includes designing both hardware and software. The IT artefacts produced in this manner are thus compliant with green norms, and the firms can assure their customers about the usage of environmentally sound processes. Usage of computers and networking technology requires energy both for making the device and running them. In recent years, as the usage of computer technology has grown in business, government and society, the consumption of energy has also increased. The government has recognized the threat of unrestrained and uncontrolled carbon emissions and has formed various guidelines to control emissions and pollution. Many firms have taken steps to understand their energy consumption patterns with regard to their IT usage and have implemented measures to ‘Go Green’. There are economic advantages of going green, in addition to those of acting responsibly. In this paper, the authors have explained how in the realm of IT, going green means using technology in an environment-friendly manner and using IT to control carbon emissions. The aim is to conduct a detailed study on managing Green IT and how smart cities can be crafted in a different way with the help of IT. An overall comprehensive insight is provided to deliver assistance for the development of advanced smart cities in the future.

Examining the Mediating Roles of Green Image and Readiness in Firms’ Green Information Technology Practices: An Organizational Legitimation Perspective

ABSTRACT This study proposes a dual-path view to explain firms’ green information technology (GIT) practices from the organizational legitimation lens. It explicates essential influence pathways that shape firms’ responses to essential external pressures for environmental sustainability, including the general public’s awareness of environmental protection, industry norms, and competitors’ green practices. This study emphasizes the mediating roles of a firm’s pursuit of a green image and its readiness for green practices, which represent symbolic and substantive legitimacy actions, respectively. Survey data from 152 leading manufacturers and 152 service firms in Taiwan are used to test the hypotheses empirically. The results show that the general public’s environmental awareness, industry norms, and competitors’ green practices influence firms’ GIT practices through their pursuit of a green image and green readiness. A comparative analysis further indicates that green readiness mediates the effects of external pressures for service firms but not for manufacturers, whereas the pursuit of a green image mediates the impacts of external pressures for manufacturing firms but not for service firms.

Adoption phases of Green Information Technology in enhanced sustainability: A bibliometric study

Research related to Green Information Technology (GIT) has been consolidating its pathway in the last two decades, becoming a well-established research stream. Due to increasing interest, there is a necessity for mapping the related scientific production, providing evidence of future work gaps. Based on previous bibliometric studies, a portfolio categorisation - divided into three phases and 17 discussion topics - has been elaborated to perform the proposed systematic literature review within the applied social science to answer the following research questions: How is the topic-related academic research evolving? What are the main research categories for each GIT life cycle phase (pre-adoption, adoption and post-adoption)? After presenting the systematic longitudinal review, the relevant academic discussion within each stage is presented. Results indicate that scholars currently focus on the post-adoption stage, investigating the external impacts of GIT solutions adopted by companies. GITs are increasingly studied in a social context, no longer restricted to the institutional environment, but there is still room for quali-quantitative research related to this phase. Finally, this research presents decision-making situations in adopting GIT (pre-adoption), the development of practices in organisations (adoption), and the benefits and metrics of the impact of implementation (post-adoption) for professionals interested in the subject. Limitations and future research avenues under the present study’s discussion topics and new discussion clusters such as cryptocurrency and blockchain are indicated. • GIT scientific production is segmented into three broad phases and 17 topics. • The trend of publications shows a consolidating movement on the GIT subject. • Scholars are currently more focused on GIT post-adoption studies. • GIT phases reveal a holistic view and its role for business competitiveness and SD. • GIT practices demand partnerships involving organisations, governments and academia.

Governance and Management of Green IT: A Multi-Case Study

Abstract Context The changes that are taking place with respect to environmental sensitivity are forcing organizations to adopt a new approach to this problem. Implementing sustainability initiatives has become a priority for the social and environmental awareness of organizations that want to stay ahead of the curve. One of the business areas that has, more than others, proven to be a vital asset and a potential ally of the environment, is the area of Information Technology (IT). Through this area, Green IT practices advocate sustainability in and by IT. However, organizations have a significant handicap in this regard, due to the lack of specific Green IT standards and frameworks that help them carry out this type of sustainability practices. Objective We have developed the “Governance and Management Framework for Green IT” (GMGIT), which establishes the necessary characteristics to implement Green IT in organizations, from the point of view of the governance and management of this area. After developing and validating a first version of this framework, we have performed a set of improvements, obtaining the GMGIT 2.0, which we want to validate. Method We have conducted a series of empirical validations at international level based on case studies, whose characteristics and results are presented in this study. Results The results of this multi-case study show an example of the current situation of organizations in Green IT, as well as the resolution of problems encountered during the validations conducted with the GMGIT 1.0. Conclusion The findings obtained demonstrate the usefulness, applicability, and validity of the framework when implementing, auditing, and improving Green IT in organizations in a systematic and progressive manner.

Tecnologia da Informação Verde nas organizações: uma visão estratégica

Contexto: O crescimento da Tecnologia da Informação (TI) gera impactos ambientais. Benefícios de práticas de TI Verde. Diminuição de impactos ambientais. TI Verde no planejamento estratégico.
 Objetivo: Mapear a percepção de especialistas, coordenadores e gestores de TI quanto às práticas de TI verde nas organizações e o seu posicionamento estratégico.
 Desenho/Metodologia/Abordagem: Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura que fundamentou uma pesquisa de campo aplicada a 97 gestores e especialistas de TI de organizações, a maioria do estado do Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo, dos mais variados ramos de negócios, no período de dezembro/2018 a janeiro/2019. Os dados foram analisados através de estatística descritiva e de quatro cruzamentos dos resultados sobre práticas de TI Verde, planejamento estratégico e metas ambientais.
 Resultados: Observou-se que menos da metade das organizações não tratam a TI Verde como um item estratégico, não a incluindo em seu planejamento estratégico, em sua política ambiental, e não criando metas ambientais.
 Implicações práticas: Espera-se que esta pesquisa contribua, demonstrando a importância de reduzir os impactos ambientais, os benefícios das práticas de TI Verde, além de oferecer novas soluções às organizações.
 Originalidade/valor: A TI Verde não é tratada de maneira estratégica, o que causa um contraponto: a TI é uma área imprescindível para o negócio e geradora de vantagem competitiva, porém não tem os seus impactos ambientais tratados estrategicamente.

How green is accounting? Brazilian students’ perception

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the undergraduate and graduate accounting students’ perceptions of sustainable (or green) information technology (IT) and information system (IS) practices and their contribution to its implementation. Design/methodology/approach A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was applied to 361 undergraduate and graduate accounting students in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in eight higher education institutions (HEIs). Data are analyzed with SPSS. Findings There is a high perception of importance regarding IT/IS sustainability practices among the accounting students tested, although respondents are not comfortable with predominantly technical IT/IS topics. However, students are divided on the significance of the accountant’s contribution to these practices, confirming that reflection on their future role is still a challenge for them and their HEIs. The female sub-sample attaches significantly greater importance than the male sample to the accountant role in the implementation of green IT practices. Research limitations/implications The authors have proposed a novel integrative framework of IT/IS theories related to sustainability and accounting, and how accounting professionals could participate in the “neutral arena” of the education for sustainable development (SD). Practical implications Findings could be useful for educators and coordinators of sustainability of IT/IS in accounting courses, stimulating brainstorming on the accountant’s role in assisting organizations in green IT/IS strategies, best practice and implementation. Originality/value This study makes an original contribution to the research base of SD in HEIs. The lack of awareness identified in the study could be elaborated to stimulate discussion about the central role of the accountant in SD processes within organizations.

Green information technology and environmental performance of the banks

Information technology (IT) moves at a fast rate of utilizing modern electrical equipment. Thus, all the sectors of the world economy do face challenges to deal with the environmental problems and their impacts on the work environment and green information technology (GIT) become important to play its role in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner (McCabe, 2009). In Sri Lanka, banks recently shift towards green IT (GIT) practices. However, there is a gap in the literature, and empirical investigations regarding the relationships among GIT practices, environmental performances of banks (EPB) and employees’ attitudes on GIT (EAG). Hence, this study aims to explore the relationship between GIT in place and EPB and to assess the possible mediating role of EAG in the relationship between GIT and EPB. The analyses reveal that GIT practices have a positive relationship to and significant impact on EPB. The study also confirms the mediating partial role of EAG in the relationship between GIT and EPB. This study especially contributes to empirically understand the same as an addition to fill the literature gap in relation to GIT, EPB, and EAG.

Maturity model based on CMMI for governance and management of Green IT

Sustainability is a problem that is increasingly worrying organisations around the world, which has led them to adopt sustainable practices in their processes. From the point of view of one of the areas that have had the greatest impact in recent times in organisations, the area of information technology (IT), different sustainable practices have arisen in isolation, known as Green IT practices. So, a framework that organises and establishes these practices (until now isolated) is necessary in order to implement, assess, and improve the Green IT in organisations in an efficient, gradual, and integrated way. In this study, the authors propose a maturity model based on capability maturity model integration (CMMI), through which it is intended to help organisations gradually implement and improve through different levels of maturity, the governance and management of Green IT. The validations of this proposal carried out through experts and practical cases demonstrate the usefulness of this proposal when implementing, assessing, and improving the Green IT in organisations.

Assessing the Greenness of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems through Green IT Solutions: A Romanian Perspective

Businesses and technology play an important role in the global economy, where the achievement of sustainability goals has a positive impact on society and companies. In this regard, there is a need to integrate information technology and sustainability to enable companies to act in a greener manner. Knowing that the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is one of the most powerful business solutions for companies, it is crucial to align its use with sustainability elements through the use of green information technology (IT). We explored the relationship between ERP systems and green IT practices to assess how green IT provides an opportunity for organizations to improve ERP systems in more environmentally responsible initiatives. For that purpose, we empirically analyzed four Romanian economic sectors based on an online survey that contained criteria to explore organizational awareness about developing green ERP systems. The findings indicate that companies are generally focused on the key benefits of ERP systems related to operational aspects and less on the sustainability benefits. Based on these results, the main conclusion highlights the strong need to embed IT in business sustainability initiatives by adopting green IT solutions.

Toward green computing practices: A Malaysian study of green belief and attitude among Information Technology professionals

The adoption of Green Information Technology (GIT) is important to ensure organizations’ environmental performance through sustainable production, consumption, utilization and disposal of Information Technology (IT) devices. However, research on the adoption of GIT practices has mostly addressed organizational factors and outcomes, with limited emphasis on the cognitive and attitudinal factors associated with behavioral change. Based on the Belief-Action-Outcome (BAO) framework, this research examined the effects of individual, social and organizational factors on GIT attitude among a sample of IT professionals in ISO 14001 certified IT companies in Malaysia and investigated the mediating effects of their beliefs about GIT. Further, this research investigated the relationship between GIT attitudes and behavioral change, as indicated through self-reported engagement in green computing practices. Survey methods were used to collect data from 333 respondents. The results support the direct effects of GIT knowledge, social influence and green management culture on GIT attitude. However, hypothesized indirect effects through the mediation of GIT beliefs were supported for GIT knowledge and social influence, but not for green management culture. The relationship between GIT attitude and engagement in green computing practices was supported. The implications of these results are discussed, and future research directions are suggested.

Studying the effect of institutional pressures on the intentions to continue green information technology usage

The last decade witnessed the emergence of green information technology(GIT) which includes organizational initiatives to reduce the negative impact of information technology (IT) on the environment. GIT has gained considerable interest among researchers because of a huge negative impact on the environment and an extensive use of information technology. A research instrument has been developed to link three components: coercive pressure, normative influence, and mimicry and stdy their effect on GIT adopt and continuance intentions. The model is validated using data collected from a field survey of 99 managers of small enterprises (SEs) in Thi-Qar province. The analysis that normative pressures are the most influential in the adoption of green IT. The coercive pressures have the most significant effect on the continuance usage of GIT practices. The current study would contribute to illustrate knowledge in the field of IT, regarding the decision maker’s intention for the adoption and continue using GIT through the development of a theoretical framework that identified the key factors of GIT adoption and intention continuance.

Application of ISO/IEC 33000 to Green IT: A Case Study

Sustainability is increasingly present in all areas of society and organizations. In Information Technology (IT), the idea of sustainability has come through the so-called Green IT practices. These practices are attracting many organizations that have realized the importance of this area and the benefits it generates socially, economically, and environmentally. However, there is a lack of standards and/or frameworks that help organizations to carry out these Green IT practices. For this reason, we have developed the “Governance and Management Framework for Green IT” and an ISO/IEC 33000-based maturity model for this framework, which allow to perform the implementation, evaluation, and improvement of Green IT in organizations in a systematic and progressive manner. In the present study we present an empirical validation through a case study that we have conducted with these proposals, emphasizing the application of ISO/IEC 33000 family of standards to Green IT. The results obtained in this case study demonstrate the importance of having a maturity model for Green IT and the validity and usefulness of the application of ISO/IEC 33000 to Green IT through the developed maturity model.

Proposta de melhoria para a adoção das boas práticas de TI verde nas organizações

The great use of Information Technology (IT), by the new business models, has created an almost indivisible symbiosis, between business models and IT resources, bringing many benefits, but also harms. These harms directly affect the environment, either by releasing CO2, self-expending energy, using water for cooling or even by improper disposal of electronic components. With all these negative effects, practices were created so that these effects are minimized, called GREEN TI. These practices are being used, and this study comes to verify their level of use, how they are being adopted, and if they are part of the company's strategy. As a methodology, a literature review was carried out, based on the questionnaire to be applied to the managers, coordinators and specialists in the IT area of the Brazilian organizations. As a result of this research, Green IT adoption practices were proposed in companies such as the inclusion of environmental items in strategic planning and the creation of environmental goals and targets, among others. The value and originality of this research is attributed to the study of the best ways of adopting Green IT practices.

A Green Information Technology governance model for large Mauritian companies

Abstract Green Information Technology (IT) has emerged as a vital IT governance concern to promote environmentally-friendly IT use and ecologically responsible business processes. Organisational adoption of Green IT is growing in strategic importance, but remains a concern in developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Mauritius. Despite a strong economic dependence on IT and growing challenges resulting from their environmental vulnerability, the governance of IT and Green IT in SIDS such as Mauritius remains uncharted in existing literature. This study examines IT Governance (ITG) and Green IT in Mauritius by exploring the ITG and Green IT accountabilities, practices and drivers of large Mauritian businesses pertaining to the prime pillars of the Mauritian economy. 109 companies from the population of 192 responded, leading to a response rate of 56.8%. Findings resulting from the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of responses were used to develop an IT Governance and Green IT model (ITGM) representing ITG and Green IT accountabilities, mechanisms and drivers among the businesses studied. It is envisaged that the ITGM and its resulting recommendations will provide both Mauritian and other SIDS' companies with a baseline for IT Governance and Green IT practice for improved business IT strategic value.

A Governance and Management Framework for Green IT

In recent years, Green Information Technology (IT) has grown enormously, and has become an increasingly important and essential area, providing multiple benefits to the organizations that focus on it. It is for this reason that there is an increasing number of organizations embracing the idea of Green IT. However, Green IT is a very young field and each organization implements it according to its own criteria. That is why it is extremely important to develop the bases or best practices of governance and management that allow organizations to implement Green IT practices correctly and standardize them. In this article, we propose the “Governance and Management Framework for Green IT”, establishing the characteristics needed to carry out the governance and management of Green IT in an organization, and perform audits in this area. This framework is based on COBIT 5, which is a general framework for the control and audit of different areas related to IT. The results obtained through different validations demonstrate the validity and usefulness of the framework developed in the field of Green IT, providing a complete guide to the organizations in their efforts to implement, control and/or improve the practices of Green IT in their processes and day-to-day operations.

How IT executives create organizational benefits by translating environmental strategies into Green IS initiatives

AbstractOrganizations increasingly recognize that environmental sustainability is an urgent problem. Green information systems (Green IS) initiatives can assist organizations in reaching their environmental goals by providing the ability to reduce the environmental impacts of information technology (IT) manufacturing, operations and disposal; facilitate transparency and enhance the efficiency of organizational resources and business processes; and foster eco‐products through technological innovation. However, the nature and type of benefits such initiatives can accrue remain poorly understood, and accordingly, IT executives struggle to integrate environmental aspects in the corporate strategy and to launch Green IS initiatives. This paper clarifies the mechanisms that link organizational beliefs about environmental sustainability to Green IT and Green IS actions undertaken, and the organizational benefits that accrue from these actions. Using data from a global survey of 118 senior‐level IT executives, we find that Green IS strategies mediate the relationship between environmental orientation and the implementation of Green IT practices and Green IS practices, which in turn lead to organizational benefits in the form of cost reductions, corporate reputation enhancement and Green innovation capabilities. Our findings have implications for the potential of IS to enable organizations' environmental sustainability and also for the differentiation of Green IT and Green IS practices.

Examining Firms’ Green Information Technology Practices: A Hierarchical View of Key Drivers and Their Effects

This study examines key drivers of firms’ green information technology (IT) practices. A hierarchical view, premised in institutional theory and competitive dynamics, leads to a model that explains firms’ practices. This model includes factors that pertain to the environment (environmental awareness and government regulations), industry (industry norms and competitors’ green practices), and firm (customers’ and equity holders’ attitudes and internal readiness) levels. Survey data collected from 304 major firms in Taiwan are used to test the model and hypotheses. In particular, attitudes of a firm’s customers and equity holders, as well as its internal readiness, directly influence its green IT practices, while also channeling the effects of important contextual factors. Among the contextual factors considered herein, environmental awareness and industry norms influence firms’ practices both directly and indirectly. The overall results highlight the significance of contextual factors and underscore the mediating roles of firm-specific considerations. According to our findings, firms should implement strategic goals and make resource allocations toward green IT practices that are aligned with the industry-wide atmosphere and general public’s awareness of environmental protection.

Simulação computacional para avaliação do impacto ambiental gerado pela tecnologia de informação

Em um processo irreversível, pessoas e empresas utilizam as Tecnologias de Informação (TI) em diferentes atividades no dia a dia. Essa demanda leva a indústria de tecnologia a uma busca incessante pela inovação e o resultado é um ciclo de melhorias, novidades e o consequente aumento do descarte desses componentes no meio ambiente bem como o aumento do consumo de energia e a emissão de CO² na atmosfera. Nesse contexto, a TI Verde surge como uma alternativa para minimizar os efeitos nocivos ao meio ambiente provocados pela fabricação, uso intensivo e descarte da TI. Uma das barreiras que levam as empresas a adiarem a adoção de práticas da TI Verde é o custo envolvido na implantação e a não garantia do retorno esperado. Assim, fazendo uso da própria TI, através da metodologia de Dinâmica de Sistemas e do software Vensim (VENTANA SYSTEMS, 2015), este trabalho buscou simular a redução do impacto ambiental que a implantação de práticas da TI Verde, tais como a virtualização de servidores e o desligamento dos equipamentos quando não estão em uso, podem trazer, ao longo de dez anos, em uma Unidade de TI de uma universidade. Os resultados demonstram que, com a adoção de práticas simples, é possível atingir uma redução de até 62% no consumo de energia e emissão de CO².

Green IT practice disclosure

PurposeAs an enabler of environmental sustainability, Green information technology (IT) has become an emerging topic of interest in both academic and business communities. Despite its importance, confusions exist in the content and scope of Green IT practice. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of Green IT practice.Design/methodology/approachFirst 14 widely accepted Green IT practice topics were identified from prior research and a taxonomy was developed to categorize them. Using the content analysis method, these topics were examined in the sustainability reports of 30 IT companies in 2014 Fortune 500. A quantity–quality portfolio framework was developed and applied to measure and assess the Green IT practices of the selected samples.FindingsCurrently, the Green IT practice is still in its infancy. Both research and practice attention are now focusing on IT’s direct impacts and enabling impacts, while overlooking the systemic impacts, on natural environment. The possible reasons for the current state and the recommendations for future research and practice are provided.Originality/valueTheoretically, this paper identified 14 widely accepted Green IT practice topics and developed a taxonomy for categorizing them. The taxonomy and topics provide a theoretical basis for future examination on Green IT practice-related issues. Practically, the findings of this paper provide guidelines for Green IT practice and directions for both Green IT developers and adopters in their decision-making.

Práticas De TI Verde em uma Empresa Educacional para Fomentar a Responsabilidade Socioambiental

Environmental problems and preservation of natural resources, global warming, energy economy and sustainability have been the subject of interest organizations, especially with regard to information technology, as electronics waste can seriously impact the environment. Practices are adopted by various organizations and the study in question is about an education company, analyzing its actions, strategies and the media used for awareness of its customers and society, the IT (Information Technology) Green techniques employed so there is sustainability and in order to serve as a reference for companies in the same business. The method used to carry out the survey information was through an opinion poll conducted among employees who work in IT areas, purchase of materials and organization infrastructure maintenance, and they reported the amounts of equipment and parts discarded by the institution and Green IT practices they that are wanting to adopt, and these employees act as influencers on managers so decision-making for managing their technology ecosystems had as little impact as possible on the environment. The results of the analysis, quantification of discarded parts and what is the most prevalent type, such as ink cartridges, toner and CRT monitors, were relevant to the company managers, who take action, but did not have a dimension of the amount of e-waste discarded annually, and they can later state the predominant chemical elements in each that can cause environmental impact and can serve as model for other similar companies.