Knowledge development and diffusion

The knowledgebase within the Green ICT TIS is identified to consist of three main areas (see Figure 14): Technological ICT knowledge, System thinking knowledge and knowledge how to visualise and communicate. This knowledgebase is supported by an underlying understanding for environmental questions and parameters. Knowledge diffusion should not focus on the technical issues but rather how to develop favourable interfaces and visualisation solutions, build business models and communicate the ideas about systems thinking.

Figure 14: Knowledgebase of Green ICT.

Technical knowledge development and diffusion

Regarding ICT technology, wireless technologies is the main strength for the Gothenburg region. The companies need to always keep up-to-date with technology since it gives the opportunity to improve the solutions to be more secure, quicker and more functional. The technical knowledge- base for companies engaged in Green ICT in the Gothenburg region has a large breadth. The knowledgebase extends through both IT infrastructure and software but a particular strength for Gothenburg region is wireless technologies. The knowledge about wireless technologies is diffused through the cluster organisations Microwave Road and Telematics Valley as well as through Charmant and Chase research centers at Chalmers University of Technology. Ericsson is and has historically been a driver in technological knowledge development, and the Chinese competitor Huawei recently established in Gothenburg.

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Much technology knowledge diffusion is performed within companies and/or between cus- tomers and suppliers inside projects. In some cases, such as IT equipment, a supplier may be the only connection to the end customers.

Knowledge about how to visualise and communicate in order to change human behaviour

One reoccurring comment from actors is that it is not the technology that is the problem, it is the people. The emphasis on visualisation and directed communication is a strong current running through all categories of Green ICT. Several of the companies involved in the study are working with solutions that aim to influence what choices people make, or making the environmental impact visible in a clearer way. Thus the knowledge and competence regarding these questions can be considered a core competence within the Green ICT TIS. For example, such knowledge is diffused through the Center of Visualization19_{. Educationally, the Interaction design program at} Chalmers Lindholmen is a core factor.

The present trend in mobility and widespread success of smartphones such as Iphone is one way that knowledge and understanding of the practical usefulness of solutions for visualising and communicating is diffused both to companies and individuals. This may also reduce the fear and scepticism towards ICT solutions.

System thinking knowledge

Green ICT of the 2nd _{and 3}rd _{order demands a system approach and a different perspective than} just cutting costs. This can be seen both regarding facilities, transports and smart grid.

System thinking is perhaps most apparent when considering development of entire cities and the transport infrastructure within and between them, when municipalities and city administrations are investing in ICT solutions. The systems thinking required for Green ICT extends to other areas, e.g. when planning a new suburb it is necessary to consider the road infrastructure for public transportation, if one is to reap the benefits of the ITS solutions already invested in. The central issues for Green ICT broaden the potential base of companies and competences that may be involved in the development of the area.

The system thinking knowledge is diffused practically through projects where companies from multiple categories, or companies themselves active in different categories, work together. Two examples is Consat whose subsidiaries are working with telematics, energy systems and Göteborg Energi that are active within Energy supply in connection to electric vehicles as well as solutions for facilities. On a theoretical level, this knowledge is diffused through seminars. The smaller companies in the study often have a focus on their own sub-field and getting new customers and have limited time and resources to diffuse this kind of knowledge. However, they emphasise the important role of partners.

The IT infrastructure is a precondition for ICT in general and Green ICT in particular for system solutions. A reliable internet connection is a necessity for the critical solutions such as Infracontrol’s. However there are still large numbers of people that not realise the value of the IT infrastructure issues, e.g. the availability of frequency bands for mobile broadband

19 _{A membership organisation managed by Business Region Göteborg and Chalmers University of} Technology

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communication20_{. The broadband quality in Gothenburg is according to a study by (Fu et al,} 2009) ranked 19 in the world among the more than 240 cities in the study.

When developing standards, system thinking is necessary. There is always an uncertainty what technologies or solutions that are the best from an environmental perspective. This uncertainty is always disputed as new advances are made, leading to a dynamic situation where different solutions are tested, proven or dismissed. However, the uncertainty may also be a breeding ground for greenwashing. As an example, the Energy star labelling has been disputed to be an ineffective and unsophisticated basis when choosing products, since it only considers energy efficiency in terms of “yes” or “no” for individual products, and not how different products perform relatively to each other (Drape, 2009).

Knowledge about the field Green ICT

Knowledge is diffused through research conferences, where recently conferences worldwide with theme of Green ICT have shown that the subject is not just a trend21_{. However, for} companies the subject may sometimes be too broad to be of direct interest to them, there are a lot of information available, and the challenge for the companies is to screen the most relevant information.

The public authorities interviewed, City of Gothenburg and City of Stockholm, mention the analyst Gartner as an important source of knowledge. Large international actors such as IBM and Fujitsu are in a symbiosis with Gartner and sets the agenda22_{, however Volvo IT which} originates from the Gothenburg region has in fact themselves influenced Gartner’s outlook on Green ICT.