BELIEF AND ACTUAL BEHAVIOUR IN GREEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITHIN A SOUTH ...

186 Pages·2015·2.39 MB·English

BELIEF AND ACTUAL BEHAVIOUR IN GREEN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITHIN
A SOUTH AFRICAN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

by

TAWANDA BLESSING CHIYANGWA

submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

in the subject

COMPUTER SCIENCE

at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUPERVISOR: MRS TERTIA HÖRNE

CO-SUPERVISOR: MR TOBIE VAN DYK

February 2014
Student number: 499-184-94

I declare that BELIEF AND ACTUAL BEHAVIOUR IN GREEN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY WITHIN A SOUTH AFRICAN TERTIARY INSTITUTION is my own work
and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged
by means of complete references.

________________________ _____________________
SIGNATURE DATE
(Mr T B CHIYANGWA)

i
Abstract
Most research in green IT tend to focus on the practices of large IT vendors and companies.
There is therefore a need to examine the beliefs and actual behaviour of IT users about
green IT, as it significantly impact of energy consumption and computer design on the
broader society. The main question to be answered was ―Are IT users generally concerned
with regards to green IT issues?‖. Therefore the main purpose of this study was thus to
evaluate the beliefs and actual behaviour of IT users regarding green IT in South Africa
through a survey that was completed by university students and lecturers. The paucity of
available research on this subject pertaining to South Africa justifies the importance of
conducting this study. A hypothesised research model based on the theory of planned
behaviour (TPB) was used to evaluate the main factors contributing to green IT awareness
in an empirical study. A mixed research method was used as the paradigm which combines
aspects from both interpretive and positivist research approaches. A questionnaire was used
to collect data from university students and lecturers. The data was captured and analysed
for convergent validity. The reliability of measurement items was tested using Cronbach‘s
alpha. Structural Equation Modelling was used to model latent variables under conditions of
non-normality. Subjective norm was the main factor contributing to intended belief and actual
behaviour.
Keywords
Environmental Sustainability, Green IT, Green Computing, Theory of Reasoned Action,
Theory of Planned Behaviour, Recycling, Electronic Waste, Management of Energy
Consumption
ii
Acknowledgements
I wish to thank the following people and institutions for their support:
 My supervisor, Mrs Tertia Hörne (University of South Africa), for her strong leadership
and advice, my and co-supervisor, Mr Tobie van Dyk (University of South Africa), for his
committed support and advice. I acknowledge their unwavering support and
encouragement, and their professional and academic guidance during the development,
writing, proof reading and compilation of the dissertation.
 All the participants who took part in the survey.
 Professor P J Becker, for his dedications, support and encouragement, evaluating
statistical analysis and constructive criticism.
 My father, David Dzvakakuyambwa and my mother, Rugare Takawira, for their
encouragement.
 My sister Mrs Beatrice Chiyangwa and her husband, Mr Joseph Chisasa for helping me
develop research skills.
 Mrs Yvonne Pawlowski, for editing the entire dissertation.
 University of South Africa, for allowing me to do research for Master of Science in
Computing.
 Tshwane University of Technology, for allowing me to use their students and staff D

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Table of Contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................................... ii
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. iii
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... iv
List of Figures ....................................................................................................................... viii
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... ix
List of acronyms ..................................................................................................................... xii
Glossary ................................................................................................................................ xiv
Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Research Problem ............................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Research Purpose ............................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Hypotheses ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.6 General Objective ................................................................................................................ 5
1.6.1 Specific objectives .................................................................................................. 5
1.7 Research Questions ............................................................................................................ 6
1.7.1 Main Question ......................................................................................................... 6
1.7.2 Sub-Questions ........................................................................................................ 6
1.8 Research Design and Methodology .................................................................................... 6
1.8.1 Description of inquiry strategy and the broad research design ............................... 6
1.8.2 Method of sampling ................................................................................................ 8
1.9 Assumptions, Limitations and Delineations ......................................................................... 9
1.9.1 Assumptions: .......................................................................................................... 9
1.9.2 Limitations: .............................................................................................................. 9
1.9.3 Delineations: ........................................................................................................... 9
1.10 Definition of Key Terms ..................................................................................................... 9
1.11 Layout of the Dissertation ................................................................................................ 10
1.12 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................................................................................ 12
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 12
2.2 The importance of Green IT .............................................................................................. 12
2.3 Environmental Impact ........................................................................................................ 12
2.3.1 International Scenario in Recycling and Electronic Waste ................................... 13
2.3.2 Computer design sustainability ............................................................................. 17
2.4 Virtualisation and Data Centres ......................................................................................... 19
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2.4.1 Virtualisation ......................................................................................................... 19
2.4.2 Data Centres ......................................................................................................... 21
2.5 User-centred Green IT Practices ....................................................................................... 26
2.5.1 Electronic waste .................................................................................................... 26
2.5.2 Recycling .............................................................................................................. 27
2.5.3 Method for managing power consumption ............................................................ 28
2.6 Green IT in the South African Context .............................................................................. 34
2.7 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 3:Theoretical Framework, Research Model and Hypotheses ................................. 37
3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 37
3.2 Theoretical Background .................................................................................................... 37
3.3 Theory of Reasoned Action ............................................................................................... 38
3.4 Theory of Planned Behaviour ............................................................................................ 39
3.5 Utilisation of TPB and TRA in Empirical Studies in Hong Kong ........................................ 40
3.6 Research Model and Hypotheses ..................................................................................... 42
3.6.1 Derivation of the research model .......................................................................... 42
3.6.2 Formulation of hypotheses for the study ............................................................... 42
3.7 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 45
4 Research Design and Methodology ................................................................................... 46
4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 46
4.2 Paradigm ........................................................................................................................... 46
4.3 The Context ....................................................................................................................... 47
4.4 Research Design ............................................................................................................... 47
4.4.1 Time dimension .................................................................................................... 48
4.4.2 Research design and process .............................................................................. 49
4.5 Research Methods and Methodology Overview ................................................................ 51
4.6 The Purpose of the Research ........................................................................................... 52
4.6.1 Objective ............................................................................................................... 52
4.6.2 The research approach ......................................................................................... 52
4.7 Conceptualisation and Operationalisation of Constructs ................................................... 55
4.7.1 Definition of key terms .......................................................................................... 55
4.7.2 Measurements of variables ................................................................................... 56
4.8 Questionnaire Design ........................................................................................................ 58
4.8.1 The design of the survey questionnaire ................................................................ 59
4.9 Data Gathering Techniques .............................................................................................. 60
4.10 The Research Techniques .............................................................................................. 61
4.10.1 Sampling ............................................................................................................. 61
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4.10.2 Data collection methods ..................................................................................... 63
4.10.3 Data analysis ...................................................................................................... 66
4.11 Validity and Reliability ..................................................................................................... 68
4.11.1 Reliability ............................................................................................................ 68
4.11.2 Validity ................................................................................................................ 68
4.12.1 Permission to conduct the study ......................................................................... 70
4.12.2 Informed consent forms ...................................................................................... 70
4.12.3 Confidentiality, privacy and anonymity ............................................................... 70
4.12.4 Justice and beneficence ..................................................................................... 71
4.13 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 71
Chapter 5: Data Analysis ...................................................................................................... 72
5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 72
5.2 Demographic Variables with the Frequency Distribution ................................................... 73
5.3 Validity of the Sample ........................................................................................................ 74
5.3.1 The extraction and rotation method ...................................................................... 75
5.3.2 Bartlett‘s test for sphericity and the KMO ............................................................. 75
5.3.3 Communalities ...................................................................................................... 75
5.3.4 Rotated component matrix, factor loading and Scree plot .................................... 75
5.3.5 Comparison of difference in factor loading measurements of decision variables of
green IT between Hong Kong and South Africa ............................................................ 79
5.4 Reliability Test ................................................................................................................... 80
5.4.1 Comparison of reliability measurements of decision variables of green IT ........... 81
5.5 Correlation ......................................................................................................................... 82
5.5.1 Assumptions of correlation ................................................................................... 82
5.5.2 Hypothesis testing ................................................................................................ 82
5.6 Additional Demographic Results with Constructs .............................................................. 84
5.6.1 Independent samples test: Gender ....................................................................... 84
5.6.2 Analysis of variance (ANOVA) among constructs ................................................ 84
5.7 Regression Analysis .......................................................................................................... 90
5.7.1 Multiple hierarchical regression analysis to determine actual behaviour .............. 92
5.7.2 Multiple hierarchical regression analysis to determine intention ........................... 94
5.8.1 Parameter summary and result ............................................................................ 96
5.8.2 Maximum likelihood estimates .............................................................................. 97
5.8.3 Squared multiple correlations ............................................................................... 98
5.8.4 Model fit summary ................................................................................................ 99
5.8.5 HOELTER ........................................................................................................... 101
5.9 Comparison of Results in SA and HK ............................................................................. 102
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5.10 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................. 103
5.10.1 Results of the structural model with hierarchical regression analysis ............... 103
5.10.2 Results of the model evaluation regarding overall fit measurement ................. 104
5.10.3 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 105
5.11 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 106
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Future Research ...................................................................... 108
6.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 108
6.2 Overview of the Research ............................................................................................... 108
6.3 Summary of the Findings ................................................................................................ 110
6.3.1 Objectives ........................................................................................................... 110
6.3.2 Research questions ............................................................................................ 111
6.4 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 112
6.5 Limitations ....................................................................................................................... 114
6.6 Research Contribution ..................................................................................................... 115
6.7 Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 116
6.8 Future Research .............................................................................................................. 117
Reference ........................................................................................................................... 118
Appendix A: Questionnaire ................................................................................................. 135
Appendix B: Observation Guidelines .................................................................................. 148
Appendix C: Ethical Clearance Form .................................................................................. 149
Appendix D: Letter of Approval ........................................................................................... 158
Appendix E: Informed consent form .................................................................................... 159
Appendix F: Further Research Data ................................................................................... 161
Appendix G: Approval from Tshwane University of Technology ......................................... 168

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List of Figures
Figure 1.2: Research model for green computing (Chow and Chen, 2009:137)..................... 5
Figure 2.1 Greening a computer‘s entire lifecycle (Murugesan, 2008:27) ............................ 14
Figure 2.2: Power consumption in a standard laptop (Agarwal and Nath, 2011) .................. 16
Figure 2.3: Server consolidation (VMware, 2009). ................................................................ 20
Figure 2.4: Increase of energy consumption in data centres (VMware, 2009) ..................... 22
Figure 2.5: Google, carport solar panels (Sobotta et al., 2010) ............................................ 24
Figure 2.6: Power options in windows 7 ............................................................................... 33
Figure 3.1: Theory of reasoned action (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1975) ...................................... 38
Figure 3.2 Theory of planned behaviour (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980) ................................... 40
Figure 3.3: Research hypothesis model (Chow and Chen, 2009) (see Section 4.7.2) ......... 43
Figure 4.1: The research design (Creswell 2009:5) .............................................................. 50
Figure 4.2: The research process (adapted from Oates, 2006:33) ....................................... 51
Figure 4.3: Mixed-methods, sequential design (Creswell, 2009) .......................................... 52
Figure 4.4: Process from raw data to visualisation ............................................................... 55
Figure: 4.5: Components of quantitative data collection and analysis (Creswell 2007:7) ..... 67
Figure 5.1: Sample distribution by gender ............................................................................ 74
Figure 5 2: Sample distribution by age ................................................................................. 74
Figure 5.3: Sample distribution by current level of study ...................................................... 74
Figure 5.4: Sample distribution by employment status ......................................................... 74
Figure 5.5: Scree Plot ........................................................................................................... 77
Figure 5.6: Structural equation modelling ............................................................................. 96
Figure 6.1: Structural equation modelling: Research model for green computing .............. 114
Figure 7.1: Scree plot diagram ............................................................................................ 163

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List of Tables
Table 2.1: List of companies that recycle e-waste (Sarrel, 2006) ......................................... 15
Table 2.2: Main focus area ................................................................................................... 26
Table 2.3: Comparison of electricity costs of a laptop and desktop configuration with altered
usage patterns (Eskom, 2013) .............................................................................................. 30
Table 4.1: Appropriate research methods for research goals (adapted from Olivier, 2004). 52
Table 4.2: Research approach .............................................................................................. 53
Table 4.3.The 16 sections of the questionnaire .................................................................... 59
Table 4.4: Data gathering techniques (Zikmund, 2003:189) ................................................. 60
Table 5.1: Demographic profile of the frequency distribution of the sample ......................... 73
Table 5.2: KMO and Bartlett's Test ....................................................................................... 76
Table 5.3: Cummunalite ........................................................................................................ 76
Table 5.4a: Extraction method - principal component analysis ............................................. 76
Table 5.4b: Extraction method - principal component analysis ............................................. 76
Table 5.5: Extraction method - principal component analysis rotation method-varimax with
Kaiser normalisation ............................................................................................................. 77
Table 5.6a: Comparison of factor loading of green IT between Hong Kong and South Africa
.............................................................................................................................................. 78
Table 5.6b: Comparison of factor loading of green IT between Hong Kong and South Africa
.............................................................................................................................................. 78
Table 5.7: Descriptive statistics and internal consistency reliabilities for the theory of planned
behaviour for individual constructs (SA study) ...................................................................... 81
Table 5.8: Comparison of reliability measurements of decision variables of green IT in Hong
Kong and South Africa .......................................................................................................... 82
Table 5.9: Correlations .......................................................................................................... 83
Table 5.10: Independent Samples Test: Group Statistics ..................................................... 84
Table 5.11: Independent Samples Test for Constructs ......................................................... 85
Table 5.12: Descriptives (Age) .............................................................................................. 85
Table 5.13: Test of Homogeneity of Variances (Age) ........................................................... 86
Table 5.14: One-way ANOVA (Age) ..................................................................................... 86
Table 5.15: Robust Tests of Equality of Means (Age) .......................................................... 86
Table 5.16: Descriptives (Level of study) .............................................................................. 87
Table 5.17: Test of Homogeneity of Variances (Level of study) ........................................... 88
Table 5.18: One-way ANOVA (Level of study) ..................................................................... 88
Table 5.19: Robust Tests of Equality of Means (Level of study) ........................................... 88
Table 5.20 Descriptives (Employment) ................................................................................. 89
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