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Green Information Technology Practices in Firms in A Developing Economy – The Case of Ghana. Richard Boateng, PhD. ICITD, Southern University, USA Website: www.icitd.com www.pearlrichards.org Email: [email protected]. Understanding GREEN IT. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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GREEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRACTICES IN FIRMS IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY – THE CASE OF GHANARichard Boateng, PhD.Richard Boateng, PhD.
ICITD, Southern University, USA
Website:Website:www.icitd.comwww.icitd.com
www.pearlrichards.orgwww.pearlrichards.org
Email:Email:
[email protected]@pearlrichards.org
www.icitd.com www.pearlrichards.org
2
UNDERSTANDING GREEN IT
“GIT refers to the concept that organizations should implement information technology projects and procedures which are environmentally friendly in line with corporate social responsibility” (Molla, et al., 2008).
Firms in the information
age
“GIT refers to the concept that organizations should implement information technology projects and procedures which are environmentally friendly in
line with corporate social responsibility” (Molla, et al., 2008).
GIT is adopting technology related practices to create or
promote a clean environment.
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3
UNDERSTANDING GREEN IT
“GIT refers to the concept that organizations should implement information technology projects and procedures which are environmentally friendly in line with corporate social responsibility” (Molla, et al., 2008).
Firms in the information
age
Sam’s Club Hardware isle changed to Home Efficiency center from consumer demand
3,564 solar panels on top of Walmart's Santa Ana, CA store - provides 20-30% energy
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UNDERSTANDING GREEN IT
What about the context of developing economies;
especially Sub-Saharan Africa?
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GREEN IT PRACTICES MODEL
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LegendLegend
Figure 1: Green IT Framework
End-of-life Management
Service and Operating
Sourcing
Formally Defined Strategies towards GIT
Informally Defined or Non-Defined Strategies Defined towards GIT
Environmental footprint of an IT hardware supply chainVendor and Service Provider Selection
Environmental footprint of an IT hardware supply chainVendor and Service Provider Selection
PC Power ManagementStaff Computer UsageVirtualization – Software & ServicesTelecommuting & Remote Conferencing
PC Power ManagementStaff Computer UsageVirtualization – Software & ServicesTelecommuting & Remote Conferencing
Disposal of Computing EquipmentRefurbishmentWaste Paper RecyclingRefills and Recycling of Printer Ink
Disposal of Computing EquipmentRefurbishmentWaste Paper RecyclingRefills and Recycling of Printer Ink
Green IT
Modified from Molla et al. (2008) and InfoTech (2009)
•Temporary Avoidance
•Structural consumption avoidance
Temporary avoidance avoid energy consumption, but do not reduce power capacity requirements – power management applications and policies
Structural avoidance do not significantly reduce functional capacity but reduce in installed power capacity – low power processors for computers and mobile phones vs battery run-time life/speed/multi-functionality
(Rasmussen, 2006)
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RESEARCH METHODS
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Exploratory study in Ghana
Data was collected through 18 interviews with IT professionals from 17 firms across 6 industries. The interviewees were questioned on their awareness of Green IT and strategies being used in their firms.
Firms by Industry/Sector ICT Firms - 6 Retail - 2 Mining - 2 Manufacturing - 2 Agriculture - 1 Universities - 2* NGO - 1 Aviation - 1
Interviewees were IT managers/administrators or
directors in their firms
Questions where a mix of closed and open ended
questions covering the three parts of the research model
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AWARENESS OF GREEN IT
MiningUniversityICT Firms
• Nature of operations• Existing national laws concerning environmental sustainability• Knowledge and experience of IT Manager
“previously worked for the UN Environment Program on a sustainability Initiative for the ICT section and familiar with the opportunities for dematerialization and energy efficiency offered by ICT. I have been involved with e-waste programs and in planning some initiative for UG ICT-D”
(Deputy ICT Director in a local university)
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Reduction of Paper – 5Reduction of Ink Purchased – 2Measuring Carbon footprint of activities – 1 (Mining)
Power Management Strategies – 5Telecommuting & Remote Conferencing – 4
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What next? An extensive study among Ghana Club 100 firms?
