External Factors In Evaluating The Implementation of Green ICT In Universities In Kenya.

Abstract

Green Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently to achieve economic viability and improved system performance and use while abiding by ethical and social responsibilities. Green ICT frameworks are useful in measuring and evaluating different organizations’ Green ICT efforts. Some frameworks make it easier to interpret and measure green ICT than others, while some do not offer guidance on which metrics to use. Features of Green ICT frameworks have not been studied and documented adequately. Furthermore, existing green ICT frameworks are all static, and have one major limitation, that is the inability to address and integrate external factors in evaluating the implementation of Green ICT. Innovations, market trends, and regulatory bodies represent external factors. The purpose of this study is to interrogate how to integrate these external factors in evaluating the implementation of Green ICT. A cross sectional study involving 19 ICT directors and 145 ICT technical staff drawn from 19 universities with an established ICT directorate were contacted. Interview schedule and questionnaires were used to collect information on use of ICT equipment and technology. Print media and electronic media were used to collect literature on Green ICT and green ICT frameworks. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while interviews were used to collect qualitative data. Standard statistical software was used to examine any cross-tabulation, associations or groupings which emerged from the quantitative data. Thematic technique was used to categorize and analyze qualitative data. The test re-test method was used to compute reliability coefficient by correlating the results. Validity of the tools used in the research was enforced by the use of multiple sources of data and auditing of the data. The benefits of this research is that it will enable institutions and organizations to implement Green ICT in relatively more adaptive and effective way and it should enable organizations to measure, evaluate and interpret their Green ICT efforts objectively.