A classical Delphi study to identify the barriers of pursuing Green Information and Communication Technologies

This qualitative, classical Delphi study served to explore the apparent lack of corporate commitment to prioritized Green Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), which could delay the economic and social benefits for maximizing the use of natural energy resources in a weak economy. The purpose of this study was to examine the leadership barriers impeding the full adoption of Green ICTs. A panel of 19 ICT experts participated in a three-round Delphi study. The panels of experts were from industry, government, and academia involved in the education, design, development, and operations of green ICTs. NVIVO 9 software was used for the qualitative data analysis, which served to organize, analyze, and report the results. The leadership barriers identified in this study as impeding the implementation of Green ICT were the understating of Green ICT and the benefits it can yield for organizations. To gain energy cost reductions, and to meet possible future environmental regulations, a paradigm change is needed to integrate Green ICT into organizational strategies, processes, and organization culture. The results of this study provided useful recommendations to rationalize the adoption of Green ICT, and to overcome implementation barriers.