Abstract

Nowadays, organisations are investing in large volumes of ICT products to support their operations. Users are using an ICT product every day from desktop computers, laptops, tables, phones and so on to maybe observing the operations of a robot or other smart devices. In many cases, these ICT products require hardware or software upgrades and updates sometime before the user has had the opportunity to learn and use all its functionalities.
Analysts are faced with an incredible choice of software packages each offering a new and improved way to analyse data, and construct a new model that further bring benefits to the organisation. Skills learned in using a particular software package and models developed are soon requiring new updates or become obsolete with the introduction of new technology and tools.
In the era of Industry 4.0 that sees the introduction of new technology (from virtual reality, simulation, digital twin technology, 3D-printing, business analytics to cloud technologies, Internet of Things, RFID, drones, nanotechnology and business intelligence), organisations are keen to keep ahead of competition and seek to adopt these type of technologies. Managers are faced with challenging decisions on what constitute sustainable adoption of new tools and technologies.
It is imperative to understand what characterises sustainable ICT from an environmental, economic as well as social point of view. Mapping the supply chain from an ICT product point of view (that considers the product development, manufacturing, distribution to reverse logistics, returns, remanufacture and reuse) could bring organisations answers to what constitutes smart adoption of sustainable ICT.