Exploring green ICT implementation at a large Information and Communication Technology company in South Africa

Abstract

Climate change is a global problem which has pushed world leaders and their respective countries to take definitive measures to address the environmental crises. One of the areas of attention is the information, communication technology (ICT) sector. ICT tools and infrastructure have higher rates of carbon emissions. Therefore, in line with the global call to address climate change, ICT organisations are increasingly becoming involved in the climate change agenda by committing to responsible Information Systems (IS) agenda. The aim of IS, is to ensure that organisational processes enhance the quality of life contribute, while ensuring business sustainability. Green ICT emerged as a result of the IS agenda. Green ICT is a call for ICT users and organisations to take necessary measures to reduce the environmental impact of ICT while enhancing the positive impact by reforming and allowing sustainable business practices. To ensure Green ICT implementation, it is important for organisations to assess Green ICT capabilities and constraints in order to run ICT in accordance with Green ICT best practices. This qualitative, exploratory study sought to investigate the implementation of Green ICT at a large IT professional services company in South Africa, Gauteng. The study employed the Green IT adoption model (GITAM) as a theoretical framework to explore the organisation's current approach to Green ICT implementation. The dimensions of the GITAM model that informed the study are Green IT context, Green IT readiness, Green IT drivers, and the intention to adopt Green IT. The study population were executive and senior management positions, including C-level managers and operational IT specialists involved in decision-making or day-to-day operations, such as user support and client system implementations in the large IT professional services company. Qualitative data was gathered using semi-structured interviews. The data was then analysed using thematic analysis and the emerging themes were linked to the GITAM model. The study’s findings revealed that cost reduction, operational efficiency improvement, and corporate image initiatives to fulfil regulatory requirements, customer expectations, andii industry standards drive Green ICT deployment. Green efforts are hampered by the lack of a clear Green ICT strategy and governance concerns. This is due to a lack of environmental responsibility and green metric monitoring. In addition, the findings revealed that the COVID- 19 emergency response had a catalytic effect on promoting the implementation of Green ICT. Telecommuting practices were widely adopted and accelerated, assisting the organisation in the implementation of Green ICT, and enhancing resilience to the economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study extends the GITAM model by proposing an interpretive framework for Green ICT implementation. In addition, the findings from the literature review expand understanding on how Green ICT adoption can be a sustainable business model innovation for sustainable recovery after a crisis. In addition to the framework, the study recommends that management should prioritise a comprehensive and principled design approach for Green ICT management. Furthermore, the study interrogates the conflicts of sustainability goals concerning the different environments and stakeholders, showing that addressing the sustainability goals of all relevant stakeholders is complex and challenging. Management should articulate the problem, devise a solution, and set responsibility, learning, and measurement systems for green practises and sustainable projects. Future studies might, among other things, expand on this research and use the G-Readiness Index as a tool to assess and compare the organisation's Green ICT capabilities and limits with other organisations in the industry.