Role of Mobile Technologies in an Environmentally Responsible Business Strategy

Introduction

This chapter discusses the effect of mobility on a collaborative business ecosystem. Previously, before the advent of the Internet connectivity, business implied physical commercial transactions between entities that were in close proximity with each other. This business understanding was particularly true before the advent of the ability of the Internet-based services to enable electronic-commerce and, more recently, mobile commerce. Today, however, communication network structures and the corresponding concepts of business collaboration (Ghanbary and Unhelkar, 2009) are perceived as effective means to cope with the challenges of 21^st century business transactions and growth. This business growth today is characterized as global and competitive (Gothlich, 2003). The globalization of business organizations is achieved by the communication revolution that is based on the use of computers, their peripherals (such as monitors, printers, storage devices) and strong, standardized and reliable networking and communications systems. Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) play a vital role in the development of any collaborative system. However, this phenomenal and ever increasing use of networks and computers also puts increasing demands on energy consumption. Computers and other IT infrastructure consume significant amounts of electrical energy, placing a heavy burden on the electric grid and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emission is creating an imbalance in our environmental equilibrium. In addition, computers pose severe environmental problems both during manufacture and at disposal. (Unhelkar and Dickens, 2008)

However, most studies related to green house gases and the strategies to reduce their emissions and effect on the environment are focused on the ‘hardware’ aspect of ICT. There is a significant need to study, understand and change the ‘process’ aspect of ICT in business. This process aspect of ICT in business comprises ‘how’ we use the people, processes and technologies of business which can reduce the carbon footprints. The need to persuade the business activities of an organization, including the way in which its people and technologies and employed and its processes are carried out from an eco-friendly viewpoint is vital. However, creation of such eco-friendly business processes can succeed only when it’s a part of the overall environmentally responsible business strategy. Mobile communications integrated in the business strategy can help to attain an environmentally responsible strategy. Mobile devices require less power and generate less heat than full workstations or PC’s, their cooling cost is also less than the PC’s, so the company enjoys the benefits of powering a small unit,. Using mobile devices instead of conventional PCs would lower energy consumption by 51 percent and reduce CO2 emissions, concludes a recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute (www.windowsfordevices.com). Mobile capabilities not only can improve the style of the business by automating process and promoting more reliable connections but also will be a step ahead towards green environment. The business-specific applications can be developed for the mobile devices and solutions that target improvements in areas including email and Internet access, automation of paper-based processes, training and professional development, asset management, employee safety, inventory management, collaboration and security. This will result to an Environmentally Responsible Business Strategy (ERBS).