Information Systems and the Environment

Information technology is a powerful tool for meeting environmental objectives and promoting sustainable development.

This collection of papers by leaders in industry, government, and academia explores how information technology can improve environmental performance by individual firms, collaborations among firms, and collaborations among firms, government agencies, and academia. Information systems can also be used by nonprofit organizations and the government to inform the public about broad environmental issues and environmental conditions in their neighborhoods. Several papers address the challenges to information management posed by the explosive increase in information and knowledge about environmental issues and potential solutions, including determining what information is environmentally relevant and how it can be used in decision making.

In addition, case studies are described and show how industry is using information systems to ensure sustainable development and meet environmental standards. The book also includes examples from the public sector showing how governments use information knowledge systems to disseminate "best practices" beyond big firms to small businesses, and from the world of the Internet showing how knowledge is shared among environmental advocates and the general public. Table of ContentsFront MatterInformation Systems and the Environment: Overview and PerspectivesThe Information Technology Revolution and Industrial EcologyThe Information Revolution and Sustainability: Mutually ReinforcingDimensions of the Human FutureIntellectual Property Rights in DataInformation Systems within the FirmImproving Environmental Knowledge SharingUsing Environmental Knowledge Systems at DuPontEnvironmental Information Management Systems at Rhone-PoulencEnvironmental Knowledge-Sharing in ManufacturingModular Design for Recyclability: Implementation and KnowledgeDisseminationEnvironmental Information in Supply-Chain Design and CoordinationSimulation Models for Information Sharing and CollaborationOpportunities for Collaboration and New TechnologiesIndustrial Research and Development Collaborations: IncreasingEnvironmental Knowledge for Competitive AdvantageInfoSleuth: An Emerging Technology for Sharing DistributedEnvironmental InformationPublic Access to Environmental InformationInternet Global Environmental Information SharingKnowledge Networking for Global Sustainability: New Modes ofCyberpartneringBiographical DataIndex