Exploring the role of IT for environmental sustainability in China: An empirical analysis

Recently, the role of information technology (IT) for energy and environmental sustainability has received wide attention from both academics and practitioners because IT plays a crucial role in the energy consumption and environmental related issues. This study explores the role of IT for energy and environmental sustainability in China by proposing a research model based on the political-economic framework. Drawing upon the stakeholder theory, we identify public concerns and regulatory forces as key political factors, and cost reduction and differentiation as key economic factors that affect the adoption of green IT and IT for green. The survey method is employed to test our model and hypotheses and PLS is chosen for data analysis. Our results reveal that economic factors, including cost reduction and differentiation are critical in influencing Chinese companies to adopt IT for environmental sustainability strategy. Our research suggests that the role of IT for environmental sustainability may go beyond cost reduction and contribute to competitive advantage for the firms. With the proper use of IT and IT related systems and equipments, a firm can improve its competitiveness while continuing to be environmentally friendly. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.