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Digital sobriety: From awareness of the negative impacts of IT usages to degrowth technology at work

Author

Listed:
  • Céline Péréa

    (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • Jessica Gérard

    (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • Julien de Benedittis

    (Mines Saint-Étienne MSE - École des Mines de Saint-Étienne - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], COACTIS - COnception de l'ACTIon en Situation - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne, FAYOL-ENSMSE - Institut Henri Fayol - Mines Saint-Étienne MSE - École des Mines de Saint-Étienne - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], FAYOL-ENSMSE - Département Management responsable et innovation - ENSM ST-ETIENNE - Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de St Etienne - Institut Henri Fayol)

Abstract

The rise of digital technologies has led to growing concern over their environmental impact, prompting the emergence of the phenomenon of digital sobriety. Rooted in the principles of degrowth technology, digital sobriety advocates for reduced technology usage to create a more sustainable society. However, it contrasts with typical frameworks that promote the continued use of IT. Furthermore, it runs counter to the prevailing trend of digital transformation within organisations, which is expected to expand in the future. As a result, it challenges conventional approaches to IT usage and the associated contextual factors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the concept of digital sobriety, examining its relationship to conventional approaches as well as the degrowth technology perspective. The study explores how digital sobriety is implemented within organisations and how it is perceived by IT users. Thirty-three participants from IT companies were included and the scope and characteristics of the phenomenon of digital sobriety were identified, including five levels of IT user maturity: refutation, inaction, substitution, optimisation, and disadoption/degrowth. The results highlight the need to balance the internal and external factors of digital sobriety and identify different trajectories of digital sobriety as socio-technical imaginaries for the future of IT.

Suggested Citation

  • Céline Péréa & Jessica Gérard & Julien de Benedittis, 2023. "Digital sobriety: From awareness of the negative impacts of IT usages to degrowth technology at work," Post-Print emse-04116949, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:emse-04116949
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122670
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal-emse.ccsd.cnrs.fr/emse-04116949v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Digital carbon footprint; Digital sobriety; Degrowth technology; IT uses; Green IT; Socio-technical imaginaries;
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