Examining the contribution of Green IT to the objectives of IT departments: Empirical Evidence from German Enterprises

Abstract

In this article we examine the economic contribution of Green IT to the core competencies of IT organisations. Based on the resource-based view we argue that Green IT influences the resources of an IT organisation thereby improving competencies which lead to competitive advantages. While Green IT’s technical measures as well as its ecological and economic benefits have received considerable attention, no scientific research has been done linking Green IT to core competencies. To determine the contribution of Green IT to core competencies of IT organisation a large scale survey with 116 companies from the German speaking region was conducted. Results were generated using factor and correlation analysis. The outcomes indicate that Green IT contributes to efficient internal operations, relationship management, and market competitiveness. In particular, relationship management plays a major role. These findings contribute to existing knowledge on Green IT and provide practical recommendations for CIOs, IT managers, and environmental officers as well as new opportunities for further research in this field.