A Fuzzy Inference System to Evaluate Maturity of Green Information Technology

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Prof., Department of Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

2 MSc., Department of Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra Univerity, Tehran, Iran.

3 MSc Student, Department of Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra Univerity, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Green information technology is in the spotlight for organizations, helping them save money by using information technology (IT) to achieve the highest efficiency and thus reduce environmental impacts. One of the ways that can help organizations planning for deploying green IT is to evaluate green information technology maturity (GITM). Previous studies have referred to various criteria for green IT evaluation, most of which are qualitative criteria that are difficult to measure and evaluate in ambiguous conditions. The main objective of this study is to identify crucial criteria that affect the GITM level and to design a fuzzy inference system to assess the GITM level in any organization. While using a Mamdani Inference system, inputs can be verbal expressions or crisp values, and the output shows the level of maturity of green information technology. Since green IT knowledge is not modeled in previous studies, modeling it in the current study is a valuable step for organizations confused about various factors they should consider for going green. The main system criteria are the conditions of the data center, office environment, work practice, procurement, and corporate citizenship. Due to the generality of the model used for the knowledge base system development, organizations can use this system for the green IT maturity level determination. The presented inference system helps organizations understand their status of being IT green and plan for the following steps to accomplish their desired maturity level. The proposed inference system has been tested, validated, and used to determine the maturity level of Tehran municipality.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Akman, I., & Mishra, A. (2015). Sector diversity in Green Information Technology practices: Technology Acceptance Model perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 477-486. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.03.009
Andalib Ardekani, D., & Keshavarz, P. (2016). Assessment the green product development and its impact on customer's mental image with structural equation modeling approach (case study: food industry in Yazd province). Journal of Modern Research in Decision Making, 1(3), 85-112. https://www.magiran.com/paper/1602217
Anthony, B., Majid, M. A., & Romli, A. (2020). A generic study on Green IT/IS practice development in collaborative enterprise: Insights from a developing country. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 55, 101555. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jengtecman.2020.101555
Asadi, S., Nilashi, M., Samad, S., Rupani, P. F., Kamyab, H., & Abdullah, R. (2021). A proposed adoption model for green IT in manufacturing industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 297, 126629. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126629
Ateetanan, P., & Usanavasin, S. (2015). Assessing Green IT Maturity and Recommendation of Improvement for Government Agencies in Thailand. Journal of Business Administration and Languages (JBAL), 3(2), 7-12.
Bahramizadeh, M., & Rezaei, B. (2016). Meta-Analyzing and Identifying Factors Influencing Green Purchasing Decisions Behavior. Management Research in Iran (Modares Human Sciences), 20(2), 21-48. SID. https://sid.ir/paper/356812/en
Bhadauria, V. S., Toms, L., Green, K. W., & Meacham, J. (2014). Do green information systems impact performance? International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 13(4), 377-394. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPQM.2014.062218
Chilamkurti, N., Zeadally, S., & Mentiplay, F. (2009). Green Networking for Major Components of Information Communication Technology Systems. EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking, 2009(1), 656785. https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/656785
Dalvand, A., Abbasianjahromi, H., Ravanshadnia, M., & Zeighami, E. (2022). Designing a Mamdani Fuzzy Inference Expert System for evaluating Human Resources in the Iranian Construction Industry. Interdisciplinary Journal of Management Studies (Formerly known as Iranian Journal of Management Studies), 15(4), 851-873. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijms.2021.328145.674680
Desai, M., & Bhatia, V. (2011). Green IT Maturity Model: How does your Organization Stack up? SETLabs Briefings, 9 (1), 49-56.
Donnellan, B., Sheridan, C., & Curry, E. (2011). A Capability Maturity Framework for Sustainable Information and Communication Technology. IEEE IT Professional, 13, 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1109/MITP.2011.2
Hankel, A., Oud, L., Saan, M., & Lago, P. (2014). A Maturity Model for Green ICT: The Case of the SURF Green ICT Maturity Model. International Conference on Informatics for Environmental Protection,
Ijab, M. T., Molla, A., Kassahun, A. E., & Teoh, S. (2010). Seeking the "Green" in "Green IS": A Spirit, Practice and Impact Perspective. Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems,
Imasiku, K., Thomas, V., & Ntagwirumugara, E. (2019). Unraveling Green Information Technology Systems as a Global Greenhouse Gas Emission Game-Changer. Administrative Sciences, 9(2).
Jayaprakash, P., & Pillai, R. (2020). Assessing the business dimensions of green IT transformation: a case of an Indian IT organization. International Journal of Information Technology and Management, 19, 68. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJITM.2020.104505
Jenkin, T., Webster, J., & McShane, L. (2011). An agenda for ‘Green’ information technology and systems research. Information and Organization, 21, 17-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoandorg.2010.09.003
Khadivar, a., & Abdian, s. (2018). Modeling the maturity of green information technology with the system dynamics approach. mdrsjrns, 8(2), 73-91. http://ormr.modares.ac.ir/article-28-15887-fa.html
Khadivar, A., & Dortaj, f. (2021). Presentation a framework for success in the implementation of knowledge management systems based on cloud computing. Management Research in Iran, 20(2), 93-118. https://mri.modares.ac.ir/article_395.html
Kusi-Sarpong, S., Sarkis, J., & Wang, X. (2016). Green Supply Chain Practices and Performance in Ghana’s Mining Industry: A Comparative Analysis based on DEMATEL and AHP. International Journal of Business Performance and Supply Chain Modelling, 8, 320-347. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBPSCM.2016.081290
Lunardi, G. L., Alves, A. P., & Salles, A. C. (2013). Green IT Maturity: developing a framework based on practices and actions. ONF-IRM 2013 Proceedings.
Matthews, C. (2003). A formal specification for a fuzzy expert system. Information and Software Technology, 45(7), 419-429. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0950-5849(03)00013-2
Mobinikeshe, M., Khadivar, A., & Rohani, S. (2017). Evaluating green IT maturity using fuzzy inference system. Iranian Journal of Management Studies, 21.
Molla, A. (2008). GITAM: A Model for the adoption of Green IT. ACIS 2008 Proceedings - 19th Australasian Conference on Information Systems.
Molla, A. (2009). Organizational Motivations for Green IT: Exploring Green IT Matrix and Motivation Models. Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems,
Molla, A., Cooper, V., & Pittayachawan, S. (2009). IT and eco-sustainability: Developing and validating a green IT readiness model. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.5004.1124
Muladi, N., & Surendro, K. (2014). The readiness self-assessment model for green IT implementation in organizations. 2014 International Conference of Advanced Informatics: Concept, Theory and Application (ICAICTA), 146-151.
Nazari, G., & Karim, H. (2012). Green IT adoption: The impact of IT on Environment: A case study on Green IT adoption and underlying factors influencing it. 2012 Proceedings of 17th Conference on Electrical Power Distribution, 1-7.
Ojo, A. O., & Fauzi, M. A. (2020). Environmental awareness and leadership commitment as determinants of IT professionals engagement in Green IT practices for environmental performance. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 24, 298-307. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.07.017
Park, S. H., Eo, J., & Lee, J. (2012). Assessing and Managing an Organization's Green IT Maturity. MIS Quarterly Executive, 11, 127-140.
Ramayah, T., Lee, J., & Mohamad, O. (2010). Green product purchase intention: Some insights from a developing country. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 54, 1419-1427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.06.007
Ryoo, S. Y., & Koo, C. (2013). Green practices-IS alignment and environmental performance: The mediating effects of coordination. Information Systems Frontiers, 15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-013-9422-0
Singh, M., & Sahu, G. (2020). Towards adoption of Green IS: A literature review using classification methodology. International Journal of Information Management, 54, 102147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102147
Srivastava, S., & Srivastava, R. (2012). Adoption of Green Information Technology (GIT) in India - A Current Scenario. Journal of Information and Operations Management, 3, 61-63.
Velte, T., Velte, A., & Elsenpeter, R. C. (2008). Green IT: Reduce Your Information System's Environmental Impact While Adding to the Bottom Line: Reduce Your Information System's Environmental impact While Adding to the Bottom Line. McGraw Hill LLC. https://books.google.com/books?id=xPQZqKrJN7oC