Adoption of Green IS in South Africa: an exploratory study

Authors:
Chris Petzer;Carolyn McGibbon;Irwin Brown
Affiliations:
Two A Day Group, Grabouw;University of Cape Town, Rondebosch;University of Cape Town, Rondebosch
Venue:
Proceedings of the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists Conference on Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership in a Diverse, Multidisciplinary Environment
Year:
2011

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Abstract

Scarcity of research in South Africa on adoption of ICTs for environmental sustainability propelled this qualitative study in which data was collected via semi-structured interviews from seven companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. While technology accounts for increased energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, toxic landfill pollution and loss of biodiversity, this exploratory research suggests that corporates in South Africa are slow to engage with environmental sustainability as a strategic issue. A contribution to knowledge is provided in the research indicating that one of the drivers of adoption in South Africa appears to be cost saving (rather than for ethical or regulatory reasons). Data was collected from corporation representatives responsible for Green Information Technology implementation. Butler's Integrative Model of Institutional Theory of Green Information Systems was used as a theoretical framework and the influences of adoption were tested deductively against the research data. The paper concludes by expanding on the Integrative Model to incorporate an additional driver (Cost-saving) and makes recommendations for further research.