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Exploring the connections between Cloud computing and Electronic waste

Halle, Frej LU and Ekwall, Jakob LU (2019) INFM10 20191
Department of Informatics
Abstract
In 2019 it was estimated that 50 million tonnes of e-waste was produced of which only 20% was officially recycled which has made the e-waste problem one of the most pressing environmental issues. As the current approaches to deal with the accelerating e-waste issue seemingly is falling short, the importance of utilizing alternative measures can no longer go unrecognized. Cloud computing has the capability to increase the lifespan of electronic devices and subsequently reduce e-waste. Within the Green IS research discipline, there is a distinct lack of emphasis on e-waste management of organizations internal IT equipment. This study takes on the challenge to explore the connection between cloud computing and e-waste management by... (More)
In 2019 it was estimated that 50 million tonnes of e-waste was produced of which only 20% was officially recycled which has made the e-waste problem one of the most pressing environmental issues. As the current approaches to deal with the accelerating e-waste issue seemingly is falling short, the importance of utilizing alternative measures can no longer go unrecognized. Cloud computing has the capability to increase the lifespan of electronic devices and subsequently reduce e-waste. Within the Green IS research discipline, there is a distinct lack of emphasis on e-waste management of organizations internal IT equipment. This study takes on the challenge to explore the connection between cloud computing and e-waste management by investigating what key factors have influenced its current utilization levels. By applying an interpretative and exploratory research strategy, this study has collected empirical data derived from senior executives in four different large organizations within the Swedish manufacturing- and high-technology industries. Through the lens of four central categories - Hardware lifecycle, Cloud computing, Digital Maturity, and Contextual Factors - we have found that cost efficiency, inherent qualities, employee-hardware compatibility, predetermined lifecycles, stricter legislation, central challenges, and corporate image are key factors which influence the current utilization levels of cloud computing to reduce e-waste. (Less)
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author
Halle, Frej LU and Ekwall, Jakob LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
To what extent have traditional manufacturing and high-technology organizations utilized cloud computing to reduce their e-waste and what are the key factors for the present utilization levels?
course
INFM10 20191
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
E-waste, Cloud Computing, Digital Maturity, Hardware Lifecycle
report number
INF19-039
language
English
id
8980812
date added to LUP
2019-06-19 10:42:10
date last changed
2019-07-09 13:52:18
@misc{8980812,
  abstract     = {{In 2019 it was estimated that 50 million tonnes of e-waste was produced of which only 20% was officially recycled which has made the e-waste problem one of the most pressing environmental issues. As the current approaches to deal with the accelerating e-waste issue seemingly is falling short, the importance of utilizing alternative measures can no longer go unrecognized. Cloud computing has the capability to increase the lifespan of electronic devices and subsequently reduce e-waste. Within the Green IS research discipline, there is a distinct lack of emphasis on e-waste management of organizations internal IT equipment. This study takes on the challenge to explore the connection between cloud computing and e-waste management by investigating what key factors have influenced its current utilization levels. By applying an interpretative and exploratory research strategy, this study has collected empirical data derived from senior executives in four different large organizations within the Swedish manufacturing- and high-technology industries. Through the lens of four central categories - Hardware lifecycle, Cloud computing, Digital Maturity, and Contextual Factors - we have found that cost efficiency, inherent qualities, employee-hardware compatibility, predetermined lifecycles, stricter legislation, central challenges, and corporate image are key factors which influence the current utilization levels of cloud computing to reduce e-waste.}},
  author       = {{Halle, Frej and Ekwall, Jakob}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Exploring the connections between Cloud computing and Electronic waste}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}