5.2 CONCLUSIONS
5.2.2 Conclusions based on the conceptual framework of the study
This section presents the conclusions of the study based on the conceptual framework of this study that was presented in the Chapter two. It summarises the views of the respondents on the TAM constructs in the framework as it pertains to the study.
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Figure 5.1: Presentation of the conceptual framework of the study
- Reduction in cost of energy consumption - Improved productivity - Reduction in duplication of devices - Improved profitability - Improved performance - Employee satisfaction
- Increased mobility - Employee empowerment - Reduction in technology cost - Good corporate image
- Improved workforce - Improved productivity - Improved profitability - Improved performance - Increased mobility
Attitude towards the adaptation of
BYOD as a Green IT
practice
Green IT Contributes to Leads to
BYOD
Use of mobile device
Perceived ease of use
Actual use Institution
Management
Non-academic staff
(admin and support staff) (N=112)
Academic staff (N=190)
Higher Education
Employees
Environmental concern Perceived usefulness
Behavioral intention towards the adaptation of
BYOD as a Green IT
practice
Reduced energy consumption
94 5.2.2.1 Perceived usefulness
The outcome of this study proved that the respondents perceive that the use of mobile devices increases their productivity and flexibility. This corresponds with the notion of Davis (1989) that people are likely to accept technology based on how much they believe it helps them in fulfilling their tasks better. In addition, the findings of this study revealed that respondents’
effectiveness is increased by their dependency on mobile devices. This finding is in line with the expected benefit of BYOD adoption as explained by Capgemini Consulting (2013) that BYOD assists in simplifying tasks for employees, increases employee satisfaction, productivity, and contributes to workforce mobility.
5.2.2.2 Perceived ease of use
Despite the perception of potential users regarding the usefulness of a technology, it is also important to note that the difficulty in usage and the performance gains of usage affect the use or adaptation of that technology (Davis, 1989). The ease of use of BYOD extends to the ability it gives the employees to perform their tasks from any location beyond the workplace (Blizzard, 2015). Remarkably, the findings in this study revealed that most of the respondents carry out their work tasks even after work hours with their mobile devices. The findings suggest that most of the respondents (33.1 percent and 18.1 percent selected “strongly” and “agree”
respectively in question 23 in Table 4.3 in Chapter four) prefer to use their personal mobile devices over institution issued devices as they are comfortable working with their personal mobile devices. The findings also revealed that they find no difficulty in connecting to the network of the institution to have access to the internet and other resources they deem important (see question 29 in Table 4.4 where 41.4 percent and 39.7 percent selected “strongly” and
“agree” respectively). There is availability of support from the IT department making BYOD experience in the institution an easy one for the respondents. This means that if BYOD is perceived as easy to use, it will be easier for the employees to adopt any other form of BYOD introduced by the institution, and more competitive edge would be achieved the institution over their rivals. Loucks, Medcalf, Buckalew and Faria (2013) explain that in organizations where IT departments make provision for employees to make use of devices they are comfortable with for their jobs, the organizations tend to achieve a substantial competitive edge.
5.2.2.3 Attitude towards the adaptation of BYOD as a green IT practice
Attitude can be explained as an individual’s perception regarding indulging in a certain behaviour (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980), and the findings of this study suggest that the respondents are willing to adopt BYOD as a green IT practice. Ajzen and Fishbein (1980) also highlight
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that attitude involves the perception of individual regarding whether the behaviour would be beneficial or not. The findings of this study suggest that the respondents have a very favourable perception regarding the need to tackle environmental issues ( see question 33 in Table 4.5 in Chapter four where 49.0 percent and 44.7 percent of respondents selected “strongly” and
“agree” respectively). They believe it is important not to ignore environmental issues that could result from the energy consumption of the computers and mobile devices they use at the same time (see question 32 in Table 4.5 in Chapter four where 47.4 percent and 40.7 percent of respondents selected “strongly” and “agree” respectively). The findings of this study are encouraging as they point out that the respondents are willing to adopt a green IT practice that will have a positive impact on their productivity, flexibility, and compatible with their lifestyle ( see question 38 in Table 4.6 in Chapter four where 37.1 percent and 48.7 percent of respondents selected “strongly” and “agree” respectively).
Ajzen and Fishbein (1980) express that attitude also involves the perception of an individual regarding motivation geared toward consenting to a certain behaviour. This is evident in this study as the respondents are of the perception that they would be more motivated to purchase or use their personal devices if they obtained financial support from their institution.
5.2.2.4 Behavioural intention towards the adaptation of BYOD as a green IT practice For this study, behavioural intention to adopt BYOD as a Green IT practice is viewed as a person’s intent to carry out an actual usage behaviour aimed at energy saving. The findings of this study revealed that most of the respondents are likely to recommend to their colleagues the adaptation of BYOD as a green IT practice ( see question 40 in Table 4.7 in Chapter four where 37.1 percent and 39.4 percent of respondents selected “strongly” and “agree” respectively).
Convincingly, the findings show that the respondents’ intention towards the adaptation of BYOD as a green IT practice is very positive. This is a very important factor to consider in implementing BYOD as a green IT practice, as Venkatesh et al., (2003) notes that behavioural intention to adopt a particular technology affects the usage behaviour.
5.2.2.5 Actual use
BYOD in the institution is used for aiding mobile connectivity for employees, students, and guests to the network of the institution (NWU, n.d.). This supports the perception of the respondents that they are very sure that the institution is comfortable with their use of their mobile devices. The findings also revealed that most of the employees own mobile devices. The findings also show that the respondents actually deem it important to have access to the network of the institution
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with their personal mobile devices. They also have the perception that they really need the freedom given to them to use their personal mobile devices for work purposes within workplace. The finding further revealed that the current BYOD practice in the institution has resulted to duplication of devices as some of the respondents indicated that in addition to the laptops in their possession they also have desktop computers in their offices. The respondents are knowledgeable in Green IT but are not aware that the current form of BYOD in the institution contributes to duplication of devices which in turn adds to energy consumption and defeats the aim of green IT. This necessitates that the HEI that is dedicated to improving energy efficiency considers the huge untapped potential to realise massive savings in merely considering the power management aspect of the use of mobile devices (Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts, Canberra, 2009) through the integration of various functions into one device (Revenaugh & Schweigert, 2013) as this would assist in reduction of utility costs (Ferris, 2012).