ANTECEDENTS TO SENSOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSIMILATION IN DATA CENTRES

The demand for and on data centres continue to pose several power, cooling, and performance constraints associated with environmental and economic inefficiency. Sensor Information Systems (SIS) is one of the best practices for addressing these constraints. This study investigates the assimilation of SIS in data centres. Based on the empirical data gathered from five case studies of Australian data centres, the paper evaluates the current state of SIS utilisation. The results indicate that the utilisation and assimilation of SIS in data centres is very limited. A conceptual framework and several theoretical propositions rooted in the TOE model are proposed to explicate the conditions that influence SIS assimilation. A number of factors including perceived SIS complexity, affordability, reliability and compatibility, the infrastructure characteristics, the age and the type of data centres, green IT strategic orientation, managers’ knowledge and expertise of sensor technology, governance and regulatory requirements have been identified as antecedents for the successful SIS assimilation in data centres

GREENING DATA CENTRES: THE MOTIVATION, EXPECTANCY AND ABILITY DRIVERS

Data centres are the backbone of the digital economy and the widespread adoption of cloud services, business analytics and big data will continu to accelerate their demand. Because data centres consume a significant amount of energy, research efforts are needed to identify what facilitates actions to implement practices and technologies to either retrofit to or architect green data centres. This paper address this issu drawing from institutional, expectancy and motivation “ability theories and based on survey data collected from 96 data centres. The findings indicate that performance and effort expectancy form the strong order drivers and together with ability will lead to the implementation of practices and technologies that improve the energy efficiency of data centres. In addition, institutional isomorphic forces serve as first order influnces to shape expectations and trigger actions to develop skills and polices and to allocate financial resources that facilitate the implementation of greening practices. The paper further discusses a number of implications for research and practice

Modelling the assimilation and value of sensor information systems in data centres

Sensor Information Systems (SIS) refer to any IS that utilises sensor(s) that are directly or indirectly connected to other sensors or sensor networks in order to automate, inform and/or transform a given task or process or appliance. SIS are promoted as one of the best practices to overcome critical data centres issues such as inefficiency of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure usage, rising cost of operations, and the consumption and efficiency of energy. A review of the sensor, IS, and data centre literature shows that there is a dearth of theory driven empirical research on the utilisation of SIS in data centres, the factors that explain variations in applying SIS in data centres and the value of SIS use to data centres. The aim of this study is therefore to address the gap in the current literature and answer research questions. The research was conducted through a mixed method approach consisting of a literature review, exploratory case studies (pilot study) and large scale survey. Drawing from several theories of innovation adoption and value, and the five exploratory case studies, an integrative theoretical framework, which we call as TOIN (Technology, Organisation, Institutional and Natural Environment), was proposed to investigate the factors that explain the variation in the assimilation of SIS and the impact of SIS use on data centre’s operational and environmental performance. A series of hypotheses are developed by linking the TOIN factors to SIS assimilation and value in a two order-based model. The TOIN framework is tested using Partial Least Squares (PLS) path modelling and data collected from a global survey of 205 data centres. The findings indicate that SIS compatibility, perceived SIS risk, green IT orientation, and normative pressure directly influence the level of SIS usage among data centres. In addition, normative pressure, energy pressure, and natural environmental pressure indirectly affect the assimilation of SIS through influencing the organizational conditions for SIS use. These results are mostly sensitive to differences in data centre characteristics including age and type of data centre. Further, the test of the second order model show that the level of actual usage as well as the level of SIS mangers’ knowledge affect the operational and environmental performance of data centre operations including the facility, cooling and power, and computing platforms. The research represents one of the first studies on the use and value of SIS in general and in the context of data centre environment in particular. It makes an original contribution by proposing and validating the TOIN framework which can be used as a theoretical foundation for future and related studies. It also contributes original knowledge regarding how data centres are using SIS to tackle some of the operational, economic and environmental challenges. Thus, the research adds to the body of knowledge on intelligent systems, infrastructure management, green IS and energy informatics. Furthermore, the research extends the current innovation theories by incorporating the natural environment to study the technology use and value and shows the significance of natural environment considerations on organizations’ activities

Information Systems For Data Centres: Description And Operational Characteristics

Information systems are widely used in data centres for a variety of reasons. There is, however, limited literature on the role of information systems for automating data centres. In particular, there is a lack of research on the matter of definition and description as well as the data centre processes that information systems support. Furthermore, among information systems that are specific to data centres, there is limited knowledge as to how these systems are used to automate data centres and improve their sustainability. To address these concerns, this paper investigates nineteen information systems that are being used within data centres identified from five case studies and a review of practitioner literature. The paper draws from existing research on information systems classifications, examines the dimensions, operational characteristics and value attributes of the nineteen systems and develops and refines a characteristics-based framework for describing data centre information systems. The application of the framework shows that data centre information systems can be classified and described based on their role, portfolio, managerial function, product utility and value chain

Social Network Adaptation, a Panacea to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Innovation Diffusion: the Case of Small Scale Agribusinesses in Less Developed Countries

There is substantial research in the area of diffusion of innovation theory (DoI), and its application to information systems and information technology (IS/IT) innovation within organisations. However, scholars in recognition of the conceptual limitations of DoI, have called for the incorporation of certain aspects of social network theory (SNT) into DoI framework. In developing countries, one such justification for this theoretical stance is the fact that information communication channels through which technology innovation is diffused have been shown to substantially influence the rate of technology adoption. In this study, the author focuses on exploring how diffusion of innovation (DoI) theory underpinned by social elements can be used to develop and enable the effective diffusion of innovation among small scale agribusinesses in Nigeria. Data was obtained primarily through qualitative research (semi-structured interviews, document analysis and field notes/observation). Data analysis and coding was conducted using template analysis (Atlas.ti). The findings of the research suggest that an understanding of the conceptual basis of innovation is a major driver of successful innovation adoption

Spatial Big Data Analytics: The New Boundaries of Retail Location Decision-Making

This dissertation examines the current state and evolution of retail location decision-making (RLDM) in Canada. The major objectives are: (i) To explore the type and scale of location decisions that retail firms are currently undertaking; (ii) To identify the availability and use of technology and Spatial Big Data (SBD) within the decision-making process; (iii) To identify the awareness, availability, use, adoption and development of SBD; and, (iv) To assess the implications of SBD in RLDM. These objectives were investigated by using a three stage multi-method research process. First, an online survey of retail location decision makers across a range of sizes and sub-sectors was administered. Secondly, structured interviews were conducted with 24 retail location decision makers, and lastly, three in-depth cases studies were undertaken in order to highlight the changes to RLDM over the last decade and to develop a deeper understanding of RLDM. This dissertation found that within the last decade RLDM changed in three main ways: (i) There has been an increase in the availability and use of technology and SBD within the decision-making process; (ii) The type and scale of location decisions that a firm undertakes remain relatively unchanged even with the growth of new data; and, (iii) The range of location research methods that are employed within retail firms is only just beginning to change given the presence of new data sources and data analytics technology. Traditional practices still dominate the RLDM process. While the adoption of SBD applications is starting to appear within retail planning, they are not widespread. Traditional data sources, such as those highlighted in past studies by Hernandez and Emmons (2012) and Byrom et al. (2001) are still the most commonly used data sources. It was evident that at the heart of SBD adoption is a data environment that promotes transparency and a clear corporate strategy. While most retailers are aware of the new SBD techniques that exist, they are not often adopted and routinized

Spatial Big Data Analytics: The New Boundaries of Retail Location Decision-Making

This dissertation examines the current state and evolution of retail location decision-making (RLDM) in Canada. The major objectives are: (i) To explore the type and scale of location decisions that retail firms are currently undertaking; (ii) To identify the availability and use of technology and Spatial Big Data (SBD) within the decision-making process; (iii) To identify the awareness, availability, use, adoption and development of SBD; and, (iv) To assess the implications of SBD in RLDM. These objectives were investigated by using a three stage multi-method research process. First, an online survey of retail location decision makers across a range of sizes and sub-sectors was administered. Secondly, structured interviews were conducted with 24 retail location decision makers, and lastly, three in-depth cases studies were undertaken in order to highlight the changes to RLDM over the last decade and to develop a deeper understanding of RLDM. This dissertation found that within the last decade RLDM changed in three main ways: (i) There has been an increase in the availability and use of technology and SBD within the decision-making process; (ii) The type and scale of location decisions that a firm undertakes remain relatively unchanged even with the growth of new data; and, (iii) The range of location research methods that are employed within retail firms is only just beginning to change given the presence of new data sources and data analytics technology. Traditional practices still dominate the RLDM process. While the adoption of SBD applications is starting to appear within retail planning, they are not widespread. Traditional data sources, such as those highlighted in past studies by Hernandez and Emmons (2012) and Byrom et al. (2001) are still the most commonly used data sources. It was evident that at the heart of SBD adoption is a data environment that promotes transparency and a clear corporate strategy. While most retailers are aware of the new SBD techniques that exist, they are not often adopted and routinized

Multi-disciplinary Green IT Archival Analysis: A Pathway for Future Studies

With the growth of information technology (IT), there is a growing global concern about the environmental impact of such technologies. As such, academics in several research disciplines consider research on green IT a vibrant theme. While the disparate knowledge in each discipline is gaining substantial momentum, we need a consolidated multi-disciplinary view of the salient findings of each research discipline for green IT research to reach its full potential. We reviewed 390 papers published on green IT from 2007 to 2015 in three disciplines: computer science, information systems and management. The prevailing literature demonstrates the value of this consolidated approach for advancing our understanding on this complex global issue of environmental sustainability. We provide an overarching theoretical perspective to consolidate multi-disciplinary findings and to encourage information systems researchers to develop an effective cumulative tradition of research

Measuring interactions and involvement in a cultural context

This paper stems from a prior longitudinal case study in which the authors analyzed the experience of Palazzo Strozzi, an Italian Cultural Institution experimenting an open approach to the process of sense-making that takes place during the visit. Through a significant re-design of the language, Palazzo Strozzi provides visitors with a two-way pattern of communication instead of a more traditional one-way flow of information .Both in cultural and in non-cultural contexts, innovation has taken place upstream and the role of the user can be mainly considered as a receiver. In terms of sense-making process, users hold a personal set of codes, which is used to give sense to the objects. We describe an experiment in which three different types of verbal content are used to describe different exhibits and the time of frontal interaction between people and exhibits is measured, thus highlighting the effect of the supporting content