#Tech4Bad: when do we say no?

Brooks, Ian M.; Thorslund, Minna Laurell; Biørn-Hansen, Aksel; Somova, Elena

doi:10.1093/itnow/bwab101

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“…This group was selected as a representative of a highly influential sector of the contemporary global community with an essential role in pro-environmental policies and actions. (Brooks et al , 2021; Mishra and Mishra, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Along these lines, the current study was designed and carried out at a public university in Bulgaria with students majoring in information technology (IT). This group was chosen because the IT sector has a significant role to play in reducing IT's environmental impact and using IT to improve sustainability (Brooks et al , 2021; Mishra and Mishra, 2020). Furthermore, a recent publication by Sima et al (2022) drew the authors’ attention to the fact that technical departments and faculties in Bulgaria and Romania, among other higher education units, were the most likely to go beyond the theory-based approach to campus sustainability by implementing practice-based activities.…”

Section: Relation Between Environmental Knowledge Pro-environmental A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of sustainable development in the academic curriculum and prospective employment: a survey of information technology students in Bulgaria

Charkova

Somova

2023

IJSHE

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Purpose The information technology (IT) sector is a powerful factor in present-day society, and its role in pro-sustainability policies is crucial. This study aims to gain insight into IT students' perspectives on the role of education for sustainable development (ESD) in their academic curriculum as well as to project their attitudes and actions to prospective employers. Design/methodology/approach This study used a cross-sectional survey design, involving 260 students majoring in IT at a public university in Bulgaria. Findings The majority of the students (67.30%) believed that their university education should promote students’ social and environmental skills. However, 55–65% thought that the current academic curriculum failed to connect subject matter with relevant environmental issues. The students held high expectations of prospective employers. There was a significant concordance between the participants' views on sustainability and their perceived workplace actions. The participants who believed that employers should reduce carbon emissions were significantly more likely to refuse to do any work that supports the fossil fuel industry [odds ratio (OR) = 4.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.04–11.37] or leave a job if the company provides products or services for the fossil fuel industry (OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.26–7.26). Such participants were more likely to opt for a lower salary in favor of environmental principles (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.32–4.28). Social implications The IT sector is a powerful factor in present-day society, and its role in pro-sustainability policies is crucial. IT students’ perspectives on the gaps in current sustainability practices convey a message to the IT academic and employment communities that environmental issues matter and are important to this new generation of technologically savvy people. Originality/value There have been a few other studies in Bulgaria on the issue of ESD, but no other study has focused on the projection of students' attitudes toward the environment onto future employers. The study's results showed that the Bulgarian young people who were getting ready for jobs in the IT field had the same environmental values and concerns as their peers from different higher education areas in different parts of the world. They were interested in acquiring knowledge and competencies that would help propel pro-environmental actions in their academic institution and future workplace. Notwithstanding the overall low economic standards in their country, they tended to put carbon-free and environmentally friendly policies ahead of financial interests. Their critical perspectives on the gaps in current sustainability practices convey a message to the academic and job communities in IT that environmental issues matter to this new generation of technologically savvy people.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Relation Between Environmental Knowledge Pro-environmental A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of sustainable development in the academic curriculum and prospective employment: a survey of information technology students in Bulgaria

Charkova

Somova

2023

IJSHE

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

#Tech4Bad: when do we say no?

Abstract: Existing IT systems are enabling company activities that are unsustainable and damaging to the environment. ‘When should we as IT professionals stop maintaining them?’ ask Ian Brooks MBCS, Minna Laurell Thorslund, Aksel Biørn-Hansen and Elena Somova.

Cited by 1 publication

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The role of sustainable development in the academic curriculum and prospective employment: a survey of information technology students in Bulgaria

The role of sustainable development in the academic curriculum and prospective employment: a survey of information technology students in Bulgaria

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