Sustainable IT : What do Universities do Outside the Classroom?

Abstract

IT’s impact on as well as its potential for organisational sustainability has been well documented in the literature. Universities are places of innovation and cut-ting-edge thinking as well as teaching. This paper discusses whether they are also at the forefront when it comes to acting with respect to sustainable IT. Our findings are based on a survey with over 120 participants from universities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Taking a multi-perspective approach, not only IT managers but also persons on other leadership positions with a connection to sustainable IT were surveyed. Our initial results reveal a focus on the data centres rather than other parts of the IT.