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The term Information Technology (IT) describes computer hardware, software and associated peripheral devices utilized for data processing, data storing, and network communication (Chen et al., 2011). Whereas Information systems (IS) comprises people, technologies and processes that facilitates the handling of digitized information. Furthermore, IS is a set of software programs using Information Communication Technologies (ICT) to enhance individual, group, enterprise, or societal goals (Loeser et al., 2017). Accordingly, IT can be considered as a contributor to environmental issues such as energy consumption resulting to CO2 emission (Molla et al., 2014). Conversely IS can be considered as a solution positively contributing to the natural environment by deploying software that limits energy utilization and CO2 emission (Sahu and Singh, 2016).
In environmental studies, the word Green refers to systems, processes and technologies that are ecologically friendly (Gholami et al., 2013). Moreover, Green denotes operations which generate lesser negative effect on the natural environment (Erek et al., 2012). Correspondingly, Green IT/IS respectively refers to IT and IS products, services and practices that emphasis on attaining sustainable development (Vykoukal et al., 2011). Green IT mostly focuses on energy proficiency for utilized IT infrastructures by designing efficient energy equipment, etc. (Deng and Ji, 2015) on the other hand Green IS helps enterprise to reduce incurred costs by deploying system and using computer algorithms to decrease the negative effect caused by traditional IT infrastructures (Dalvi-Esfahani et al., 2017a). Therefore, IT can be considered as contributor to environmental issues such as energy consumption resulting to CO2 emission, and IS can be considered as a solution, hence positively contributing to the natural environment by deploying tele-presence software that limits traveling (Sahu and Singh 2016). Respectively, Green IT/IS practices in ICT departments of Collaborative Enterprise (CE) refer to the deployment of software applications and technologies to promote sustainability (Dalvi-Esfahani et al., 2017b).
Accordingly, Malaysia is one of the countries committed to support sustainability by adhering to the guidelines such as that of ISO 14001 standards, which is a practical tool widely used to achieve sustainable development. IS) 14001 guides organizations in controlling the impact of their operations on the environment, and acquiring external certifications for the practices employed (Foo, 2013). But, ISO 14001 has been criticized of its lack of economic and social dimension. But, due to Malaysian government endorsements towards development of ecological friendly enterprise in the country, a few CE have begun to implement Green IT/IS practices (Amran et al., 2010). Thus, CEs in Malaysia are committed in reducing Malaysia Green House Gases (GHGs) emission by 40 percent by 2020 (Kettha, 2010). These arguments are also supported by Mat et al. (2011) where the authors mentioned that most organizations in Malaysia are presently implementing Green practice for achieving sustainability. Correspondingly, this can be attributed to the fact that several benefits can be derived when organizations balance the social, environmental and economic goals of sustainability (Anthony, 2016; Jnr et al., 2017a).
In addition, Green IT/IS has materialized as an important strategic approach to decrease ICT departments’ CO2 emission resulting in protecting the environment (Sahu and Singh, 2016; Ocampo and Clark, 2017). Hence, ICT departments in CE are observing rising rate of CO2 emission due to the substantial utilization of electronic facilities. These issues demand the infusion and assimilation of Green IT/IS practices. Consistently, management are beginning to address these challenges associated to environmental degradation by integrating ecological aspects into their corporate strategies (Anthony and Majid, 2016; Petridis et al., 2018). Furthermore, Green IT/IS practices is not mainly driven by profit imperatives, but it is linked to ecological beliefs of managers and their actions towards sustainability (Jenkin et al., 2011).