From dark data to insight: The role of knowledge management in promoting digital decarbonisation

Abstract

Background: Sustainable transformation is a key component of organisational sustainability, particularly as the exponential growth of data drives the need for energy-intensive data centres. This study focussed on knowledge management (KM), specifically dark data management, as a practice to reduce the demand on data centres that ultimately contributes to carbon emissions.

Objectives: Data-driven technologies have exponentially increased data generation, much of which remains unused as dark data. Dark data contribute to the growing environmental impact of digital activities, as the storage and processing of unused data require substantial energy resources.

Method: The study applied a survey strategy to analyse 539 responses through factor analysis, using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software tool to investigate dark data KM strategies and practices towards supporting digital decarbonisation and enhancing organisational sustainability. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis and integrated with the extracted factors.

Results: The study identified 13 key considerations to derive a socio-technical work system using KM strategies and practices in support of digital decarbonisation and sustainability: business process, data governance and stewardship, data management, data security, decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge and information management, measurement, organisational culture, organisational goals, organisational learning, technology and organisational structure.

Conclusion: Rather than considering typical Green Information Technology (IT) strategies, this study focussed on KM, specifically dark data management, as a practice to reduce the demand for data centres that ultimately contribute to carbon emissions.

Contribution: The study offers insights into applying KM capability as an additional approach to achieving Green IT goals for organisations focussing on Green IT strategies.