Commentary: towards more responsibility in ICT
Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society
ISSN: 1477-996X
Article publication date: 9 March 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide a commentary to the conceptual article by Norberto Patrignani and Diane Whitehouse, The Clean Side of Slow Tech. This article explores what can be easily overlooked in Information Communication Technology (ICT): the uncomfortable truth relating to the production, use and disposal of modern communication technology.
Design/methodology/approach
In it, the author picks up on the main ideas that were argued, specifically that there is a need to take a closer look at the production, use and disposal of modern communication technology.
Findings
Connecting resource production, use and disposal and its affect on climate change will require those who are in the position to make changes to come up with solutions that also consider values, beliefs and norms that lead to particular types of behaviour.
Research limitations/implications
ICT has had an enormous impact on people’s lives. However, there has been primarily focus on its life-accelerating attributes. Slowing down the process of production may open up possibilities for sustainable ICT development.
Practical implications
The commentary, combined with Patrignani and Whitehouse’s paper may provide a resource for those responsible in training future ICT professionals.
Social implications
If today’s society, and this includes users and producers of ICT, intends to go beyond the mere rhetoric about sustainability, individuals will need to take on a new kind of responsibility that covers the entire life cycle of technology.
Originality/value
This commentary is intended to provide an additional viewpoint to the topic of sustainable ICT production.
Keywords
Citation
Otrel-Cass, K. (2015), "Commentary: towards more responsibility in ICT", Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 24-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-12-2014-0062
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited