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Green information technology strategic justification and evaluation

Author

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  • Chunguang Bai

    (Dongbei University of Finance & Economics)

  • Joseph Sarkis

    (Clark University)

Abstract

Green and sustainable information technology (GSIT) can be an important and strategic decision for many organizations. Strategic GSIT decisions can influence a variety of internal and external organizational stakeholders. GSIT justification and evaluation is critical to organizations, especially those seeking the ecological modernization ‘win-win’ of introducing green technologies into organizations. The literature has seen very few tools and approaches to aid in the explicit justification of strategic GSIT. Although numerous models exist for regular IT, there are certain characteristics including a greater number of factors, especially intangible and socially focused factors, requiring greater investigation of tools for the evaluation and justification process. The identification of appropriate metrics and categorizations to use in advanced strategic appraisal techniques for GSIT is in itself a non-trivial exercise. Thus, in this paper issues facing the strategic justification of GSIT set the stage for introduction of a novel, flexible and comprehensive evaluation approach utilizing a grey systems, fuzzy, and TOPSIS multiple criteria foundation. An illustrative application for evaluating and selecting alternative green data center designs sets the stage for an illustrative example and sensitivity analysis. The results are evaluated including discussion of practical and research implications. Directions for future research are also identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunguang Bai & Joseph Sarkis, 2013. "Green information technology strategic justification and evaluation," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 831-847, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:15:y:2013:i:5:d:10.1007_s10796-013-9425-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-013-9425-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Kusi-Sarpong, Simonov & Sarkis, Joseph & Wang, Xuping, 2016. "Assessing green supply chain practices in the Ghanaian mining industry: A framework and evaluation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 181(PB), pages 325-341.
    4. Kusi-Sarpong, Simonov & Bai, Chunguang & Sarkis, Joseph & Wang, Xuping, 2015. "Green supply chain practices evaluation in the mining industry using a joint rough sets and fuzzy TOPSIS methodology," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(P1), pages 86-100.
    5. Bartosz Wachnik & Aleksandra Krupa & Krzysztof Santarek, 2022. "A Comparative Analysis of the Acquisition Transaction of Management Information Systems through Virtual and Face-to-Face Negotiations—The Perspective of Green IT Industry in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-12, August.
    6. Chunguang Bai & Behnam Fahimnia & Joseph Sarkis, 2017. "Sustainable transport fleet appraisal using a hybrid multi-objective decision making approach," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 250(2), pages 309-340, March.
    7. Del Chiappa, Giacomo & Martin, Juan Carlos & Roman, Concepcion, 2016. "Service quality of airports' food and beverage retailers. A fuzzy approach," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 105-113.
    8. Manoj Thomas & Daniela Costa & Tiago Oliveira, 2016. "Assessing the role of IT-enabled process virtualization on green IT adoption," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 693-710, August.
    9. Zhaojun Yang & Jun Sun & Yali Zhang & Ying Wang, 2018. "Peas and carrots just because they are green? Operational fit between green supply chain management and green information system," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 627-645, June.
    10. Jabbour, Charbel Jose Chiappetta & Jabbour, Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa & Sarkis, Joseph & Filho, Moacir Godinho, 2019. "Unlocking the circular economy through new business models based on large-scale data: An integrative framework and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 546-552.
    11. Joseph Sarkis & Chulmo Koo & Richard T. Watson, 2013. "Green information systems & technologies – this generation and beyond: Introduction to the special issue," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 695-704, November.
    12. Thanongsak Imjai & Chirawat Wattanapanich & Uhamard Madardam & Reyes Garcia, 2021. "Analysis of Ink/Toner Savings of English and Thai Ecofonts for Sustainable Printing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-17, April.
    13. Alfred Benedikt Brendel & Friedrich Chasin & Milad Mirbabaie & Dennis M. Riehle & Christine Harnischmacher, 2022. "Review of Design-Oriented Green Information Systems Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-33, April.
    14. Melville Saayman & Juan Carlos Martín & Concepción Román, 2016. "There is no fuzziness when it comes to measuring service quality in national parks," Tourism Economics, , vol. 22(6), pages 1207-1224, December.
    15. Bai, Chunguang & Sarkis, Joseph, 2017. "Improving green flexibility through advanced manufacturing technology investment: Modeling the decision process," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 86-104.
    16. Islam Shamimul & Karia Noorliza & Fauzi Firdaus Bin Ahmad & Soliman Mohamed, 2017. "A review on green supply chain aspects and practices," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 12(1), pages 12-36, March.
    17. Zhaojun Yang & Jun Sun & Yali Zhang & Ying Wang, 0. "Peas and carrots just because they are green? Operational fit between green supply chain management and green information system," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-19.
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