Sustainability – a new dimension in information systems evaluation

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to introduce sustainability as a new dimension of information systems (IS) evaluation. Customers, policymakers and business partners increasingly require the monitoring and reporting of the organisational impact on sustainability. However, traditional IS evaluation approaches are not able to capture the impact of information technology (IT)/IS on sustainability, especially in relation to social and environmental dimensions, so the authors want to stimulate discussion and research related to this area. Design/methodology/approach -This paper is conceptual. However, it is based on the results of an existing related research project focussed on supply chain evaluation. Findings -In order to stimulate discussion and research, the authors propose a framework that was originally developed to evaluate supply chain practices, in which IS often play a major role. The framework is built on three dimensions -economic, social and environmental -which are divided further into three sub-dimensions. It can be used as a starting point to develop a framework for sustainability-oriented IS evaluation.Research limitations/implications -The framework was originally developed for supply chain evaluation; however, it has generic features that can be adjusted or modified in order to be applied to a whole range of IT/IS initiatives Practical implications -Sustainability and its new dimensions create new challenges for information systems evaluation. Companies require frameworks and tools that can help them to measure and evaluate the impact of IS on sustainability. The researcher's role is to answer such needs and focus on this emerging research topic; this paper aims to stimulate such research. Originality/value -Sustainability is a new dimension in IT/IS evaluation. Current approaches do not include all sustainability dimensions (environmental aspects are excluded, evaluation of the social impact is limited).

Information technology for sustainable supply chain management: a literature survey

“…These primary effects result from the use of IT devices and, for example, the material and energy needed for production. In contrast, secondary or indirect effects are driven by the use of IT (Piotrowicz and Cuthbertson 2009). However, in this paper we use a different definition of direct effects: direct effects are created by IT systems that explicitly aim to reduce negative environmental and social effects, while indirect effects result from the use of IT systems that improve intermediary variables, such as efficiency.…”

“…This duality has been observed and supported by various researchers. For example, Piotrowicz and Cuthbertson (2009) stress the necessity of also considering the effects on sustainability in the evaluation of IT systems. Melville (2010) acknowledges the potential of IT for improving environmental sustainability, and Srivastava (2007) highlights that IT will play an important role in the future of 'green' (i.e.…”

How do Australian Small and Medium Enterprises Communicate their Environmental Improvement Activities Online?

“…The relevance of environmental improvement was highlighted recently by Elliot (2009) who calls for research into IS-related environmental sustainability issues, especially in the context of SMEs. The limited but growing literature on what has been termed green IS (or IT) currently focuses on issues such as: the carbon emissions from IT infrastructure (Vykoukal et al, 2009); the energy efficiency of software (Capra & Merlo, 2009); the environmental criteria for IS/IT procurement (Molla, 2009) and evaluation (Piotrowicz & Cuthbertson, 2009); and the IS/IT product lifecycle which results in e-waste and illustrates the need for recycling (Elliott, 2007). Research to date has not considered IT or IS related environmental improvement issues from an SME perspective.…”

Development of composite sustainable supply chain performance index for the automobile industry

“…In addition, these two indicators also play a significant role in geographically in SC operations at both intra-and interorganizational levels in the different countries. For example information technology (IT) plays a significant role in achieving many sustainability objectives of social, economical and environmental such as managing inventories and transparency in SC (Piotrowicz and Cuthbertson 2009). IT is perceived as having both negative and positive influences on the environment (Piotrowicz and Cuthbertson 2009) and businesses.…”

“…For example information technology (IT) plays a significant role in achieving many sustainability objectives of social, economical and environmental such as managing inventories and transparency in SC (Piotrowicz and Cuthbertson 2009). IT is perceived as having both negative and positive influences on the environment (Piotrowicz and Cuthbertson 2009) and businesses. Therefore, this study has given due considerations to various technology-specific measures such as information security, IT implementation and adoption of new technologies.…”