Date of Conferral

8-11-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)

School

Information Systems and Technology

Advisor

Christopher Fry

Abstract

Cloud computing has increased electricity use in data centers, leading to higher costs and a larger carbon footprint. Information Technology (IT) leaders need to address this, as such inefficiencies will increase operational costs, undermine sustainability commitments, and leave companies unprepared for future regulatory pressures. Energy-efficient technologies can reduce data center energy consumption by 40-60%, yet few studies examine the qualitative processes behind IT leaders' practices. The specific IT problem is that some IT leaders lack effective strategies to implement energy-efficient practices in enterprise cloud data centers. Grounded in the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies IT leaders use to implement these practices. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 U.S. IT leaders with 2 or more years of experience in enterprise cloud data centers, supported by government and technical reports, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) cost-conscious and pragmatic technology selection, (b) resistance to change as the primary organizational barrier, (c) a leadership knowledge gap constraining implementation, and (d) regulatory compliance as a mechanism for overcoming budget resistance. The research shows that organizational and environmental factors affect implementation success more than the technology itself. One key suggestion is for the IT leaders to present the idea of energy efficiency in terms of compliance and tangible results. Implications for positive social change include a potential reduction in energy use and carbon emissions, as well as relief for local communities affected by rising energy costs.

Download

Share

 
COinS