Green Information Technology Practices in Firms in A Developing Economy – The Case of Ghana

1. 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: richard@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 is adopting technology related practices to create or promote a clean environment. • “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). ‘R We Green?

3. Understanding GREEN IT 3,564 solar panels on top of Walmart's Santa Ana, CA store  - provides 20-30% energy • “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 ‘R We Green?

4. Understanding GREEN IT What about the context of developing economies; especially Sub-Saharan Africa?

5. Green IT Practices Model Environmental footprint of an IT hardware supply chain Vendor and Service Provider Selection Sourcing PC Power Management Staff Computer Usage Virtualization – Software & Services Telecommuting & Remote Conferencing Green IT Service and Operating Disposal of Computing Equipment Refurbishment Waste Paper Recycling Refills and Recycling of Printer Ink End-of-life Management Figure 1: Green IT Framework Legend Formally Defined Strategies towards GIT Informally Defined or Non-Defined Strategies Defined towards GIT • 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) • Temporary Avoidance • Structural consumption avoidance Modified from Molla et al. (2008) and InfoTech (2009)

6. Research Methods • 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

7. Awareness of Green IT • “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) Mining University ICT Firms • Nature of operations • Existing national laws concerning environmental sustainability • Knowledge and experience of IT Manager

8. Reduction of Paper – 5 Reduction of Ink Purchased – 2 Measuring Carbon footprint of activities – 1 (Mining) Power Management Strategies – 5 Telecommuting & Remote Conferencing – 4

9. What next? • An extensive study among Ghana Club 100 firms?