ICT and sustainability: skills and methods for dialogue and policy making

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview and to discuss the following issues: most often, discussions about Information and communication technology (ICT) sustainability focus on environmental issues; however, there are other aspects referring to ICT internal sustainability and to its role as a tool in managing general sustainability issues. The way to handle ICT sustainability issues is also significant.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses and investigates various aspects of ICT sustainability, and of methods to handle these issues and make decisions.

Findings

Classical philosophy and psychological empirical research on decision-making demonstrate the way to take care of ICT sustainability issues. This way is philosophizing, which has to be trained and supported for people and organizations involved to acquire the necessary skills and to use suitable methods.

Originality/value

The paper highlights other significant aspects of ICT sustainability rather than the environmental impact alone. It also proposes focus on the way ICT sustainability issues are handled rather than focus on normative or ideological aspects of it.

Citation

Kavathatzopoulos, I. (2015), "ICT and sustainability: skills and methods for dialogue and policy making", Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-12-2014-0063