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Understanding e-Waste Management in Developing Countries: Strategies, Determinants, and Policy Implications in the Indian ICT Sector

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  • Richard Heeks
  • Logakanthi Subramanian
  • Carys Jones

Abstract

Management of e-waste is a growing problem for developing countries; one that may undermine the sustainability of information and communication technology (ICT) use if not addressed. In this paper, we focus on a somewhat under-emphasized group that contributes significantly to developing country e-waste: local organizational consumers of ICT. Although this group creates the majority of e-waste, the factors shaping their e-waste decisions are not well understood. Our purpose in the paper is to provide such an understanding.This paper, therefore, builds conceptual models of e-waste strategies and e-waste strategy determinants from the environmental management literature. It applies these models to a key e-waste producer - the ICT services sector in India - drawing qualitative data from a mix of very large and small/medium firms.While the former have been proactive in their e-waste strategy, the small/medium firms are characterized as indifferent to e-waste; a divergence explained by the very different strengths of determining factors to which they are subject. In turn, those factors relate to the size of these ICT consumers and the nature of value chains into which they are placed. Understanding these determinants can help us plan better e-waste interventions; a point illustrated through critique of recently introduced legislation.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Heeks & Logakanthi Subramanian & Carys Jones, 2015. "Understanding e-Waste Management in Developing Countries: Strategies, Determinants, and Policy Implications in the Indian ICT Sector," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(4), pages 653-667, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:titdxx:v:21:y:2015:i:4:p:653-667
    DOI: 10.1080/02681102.2014.886547
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    Cited by:

    1. Lynda Andeobu & Santoso Wibowo & Srimannarayana Grandhi, 2023. "Environmental and Health Consequences of E-Waste Dumping and Recycling Carried out by Selected Countries in Asia and Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Tiziana Russo Spena & Nadia Di Paola, 2020. "Moving beyond the tensions in open environmental innovation towards a holistic perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1961-1974, July.
    3. Awasthi, Abhishek Kumar & Li, Jinhui, 2017. "Management of electrical and electronic waste: A comparative evaluation of China and India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 434-447.
    4. Lynda Andeobu & Santoso Wibowo & Srimannarayana Grandhi, 2021. "A Systematic Review of E-Waste Generation and Environmental Management of Asia Pacific Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Saurabh P. Tembhare & Bharat A. Bhanvase & Divya P. Barai & Sanjay J. Dhoble, 2022. "E-waste recycling practices: a review on environmental concerns, remediation and technological developments with a focus on printed circuit boards," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 8965-9047, July.
    6. Pathak, Pankaj & Srivastava, Rajiv Ranjan & Ojasvi,, 2017. "Assessment of legislation and practices for the sustainable management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 220-232.

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