Defining the Role for Information Systems in Environmental Sustainability Measurement

Jacqueline Corbett Queen's University, Canada

Jane Webster Queen's University, Canada

Marie-Claude Boudreau University of Georgia, U.S.A.

Richard Watson University of Georgia, U.S.A.

Abstract
Information Systems scholars have played a limited role in addressing the problem of environmental sustainability, resulting in calls for our community to become more actively involved in tackling this critical problem. One of the most significant hurdles standing in the way of progress is measurement. Sustainability measurement represents a complex issue requiring the expertise of many different fields. We propose that sustainability measurement principles, which represent adopted rules or methods for conducting measurement in practice, provide an important mechanism for building the necessary linkages between disciplines, while at the same time moving us forward in protecting our global environment. In this paper we outline eight essential measurement principles and provide illustrative examples of how IS can support and embody these principles. We conclude the paper with research directions in relation to the potential role of IS in sustainability measurement.

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Reference:	Corbett, J., Webster, J., Boudreau, M.-C., Watson, R.T. (2011). "Defining the Role for Information Systems in Environmental Sustainability Measurement," Proceedings > Proceedings of SIGGreen Workshop . Sprouts: Working Papers on Information Systems, 11(2). http://sprouts.aisnet.org/11-2
Keywords:	Environmental sustainability, measurement, information systems, climate change, green
Item Type:	Article - Volume 11 Article 2 (2011)
Language:	English
Email:	Jacqueline Corbett (jcorbett@business.queensu.ca) Jane Webster (jwebster@business.queensu.ca) Marie-Claude Boudreau (mcboudre@terry.uga.edu) Richard Watson (rwatson@terry.uga.edu)

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