Green Information Technology Managerial Capabilities of IT Organizations in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Green Information Technology is one of the emerging area of research that draws attention of both general public and business. It arises the awareness of conserving the environment for the future generations. Green IT concept evolves from preserving trees, reducing paper usage, recycling IT equipment and implementing power saving mechanisms to IT friendly business culture. Thus, it is important to study the current level of Green IT managerial capabilities of organizations before proposing any Green IT initiatives. This research analyzes the current level of Green IT managerial capabilities of IT organizations in Sri Lanka based on their IT policy and IT governance. This research is targeted to Chief Information Officers or equivalent officers. The results show that the organizations have adopted some of the state-of-the-art Green technologies. However, life-cycle approach that includes procurement, reuse, recycle and disposal of Green IT equipment was not followed and the steps to measure the carbon footprint of the organizations were also not considered as important. This research recommends organizations should implement Green IT in each of the IT process of the organizations as life cycle approach. It should be a feedback driven continuous process that could lead behavioral changes in the organizational culture.