State-of-the-art of scientific production about Green Information Technology

Abstract

With the purpose of identifying the state-of-the-art in the literature, on the theme of Green Information Technology, or simply Green IT, this study presents a bibliometric review about it. Following a research protocol, 171 papers published between the years 2007 to 2020 were selected, providing an overview or are focused on a particular aspect of Green IT. As the main results of this theoretical production, research highlighted that most of the literature on Green IT is based on analyzes at the organizational level. The surveys and theoretical frameworks that consider the environmental aspects of Green IT stand out. Among the empirical studies, investigations related to organizational motivations and the role of corporate social responsibility in the adoption of Green IT prevail. Behavioral factors linked to cognitive aspects that provide a preliminary view on the diffusion status and maturity of the Green IT also emerge among field studies. It should be noted that most studies were conducted in developed countries, that is, countries where technology is more widespread. Among the main managerial implications of the research, it was evident that the need for greater energy efficiency and, consequently, cost savings in IT operations, are the main factors for the adoption of Green IT.