Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Virtualization, cloud computing and grid com-
puting are perceived as a green computing which
is oriented towards the use of computers in an
environmentally responsible way. “The Recycle,
Reuse and Reduce” strategy has been adapted by
several companies to get rid of non-biogradable
materials such as PCs and laptops which can no
longer be used. First step of the approach is an
analysis and evaluation of IT resources usability.
The results should be included as the premises of
decisions on virtualization. The green computing
approach covers many different activities to reduce
energy consumption and harmful emissions. Re-
cycled paper is also being used at offices to reduce
the paper consumption. Dell company offers to
collect and recycle desktops and laptops which
can no longer be used. Green computing is to
include the deployment of energy efficient serv-
ers, peripherals and central processing units with
reduced resource utilization (Garg
et al.
, 2010).
corporate social responsibility, corporate citizen-
ship and ethical business conduct. The etymology
of “sustainable” carries interesting and important
implications for the way the word is used as it in-
cludes several contradictions. The word “sustain”
is derived form the Latin “sub-tenere”, meaning
“to uphold”. This carries as passive connotation
in it and gives the concept an image of stability,
persistence and balance. “Sustainable” is used
in a more active sense together with “develop-
ment”. Development means change, progress
and growth. Hence, ”sustainable development”
can refer to a process which is being uphold or
defended at the same time as it implies move-
ment and improvement (Sunden and Wicander,
2005). Sustainable development is interpreted as
a change that emanate out from a need or demand.
The concept of sustainable development implies a
resource dimension and a competition between the
different interest of stakeholders for resources (IT
resources also). Therefore, the model of sustain-
able development should be negotiated among
business partners. The compromise achieved in
sustainable collaborations of business partners is
to provide some direct economic benefits:
MAIN FOCUS OF THE CHAPTER:
FROM VIRTUALIZATION
TECHNOLOGY TO VIRTUALIZATION
MANAGEMENT
•
Revenue enhancement and improved mar-
ket access,
In 1987, the WCED (the World Commission
on Environment and Development) related
sustainability to corporations and the economy
by defining the term sustainable development
as the development that meets the needs of the
present without comprising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs (Russell et
al., 2007, Clarke, 2007, Hilty & Seifert, 2005).
The concept of corporate sustainability is one that
is gaining increasing importance as progressively
more research suggests the need for organizations
to address sustainability issues in order to resolve
environmental and social problems.
Sustainability is interpreted as the simultaneous
effort of balancing economic, technological and
environmental goals for a corporation. As such
•
Cost reduction and joint projects develop-
ment focused on internal activities, servic-
es that access the best through the network,
improved purchasing outcomes from buy-
ing as a group,
•
IT assets utilization as well as the shared
access to intellectual assets,
•
Lead time reduction and concurrent engi-
neering practices development,
•
Reliability enhancement through invest-
ment initiatives reduces work, schedule
consistency supported by redundancy of
resources, and client communications,
•
Risk reduction: financial through shar-
ing the new market entry costs, access to
