An Investigation Into the Applicability of Green IT Concepts Into Green IS

Abstract

In the last five years, research on the role of IT in managing the environment has been accelerated by Information Technology (IT) practitioners such as Google, IBM and Microsoft as well as by the academic community. Research in this field seems to have been narrowed down in two areas; Green Information Technology (Green IT) and Green Information Systems (Green IS). Confusion reigns on whether green IT and green IS are the same thing or two different concepts. Within the academic community, a review of literature shows that there exists a difference based on the definition and scope of each of these concepts whereas practitioner research seems to be more focused on the former (green IT) where direct benefits can be easily accrued by individuals and customers and left out the part on Green IS. Most IS academic researchers have encouraged that more research needs to be directed to Green IS which has the potential to bring in more benefits in terms of organizations drive to reduce their environmental footprint. Green IT aims to reduce the IT induced global green house Gas emissions while Green IS tries to look at the innovative ways in which computing can be used as the solution to environmental pollution. The aim of this paper therefore was to investigate the applicability of Green IT concepts in Green IS. This was done by carrying out a tentative review of Green IT and Green IS research and then carrying out the comparisons between the two concepts to identify any gaps and overlaps. Later on, the researcher proposes future research areas based on the results.