Societal Structure and Organizational Structure as Predictors of Information and Communication Technology Users’ Beliefs About the Environment

Abstract

This investigated the influence of societal structure and organizationalstructure on Information and Communication Technology users’ beliefs aboutthe environment in the Ugandan context. Environmental sustainability iscurrently a call for urgent attention around the World. Our study was guided bytwo specific objectives; to establish the effect of societal structure on ICT users’beliefs about the environment in Uganda and to establish the effect oforganizational structure on ICT users’ beliefs about the environment inUganda. The study adopted the belief action outcome (BAO) model of Nigel P.Melville. A cross-sectional quantitative research design, using a post-positivistparadigm with a quantitative analytical survey research methodology was used.We used a self-administered survey, with a questionnaire as the tool for datacollection. A sample of 384 respondents was selected using simple randomsampling and we obtained back 362 usable questionnaires. Correlations,regressions and structural equation modeling were analyzed using SPSS andAMOS. The results show that societal structure and organizational structurehave a positive significant effect on ICT users’ beliefs about the environment.We make a contribution by adopting the BAO model in a developing countrycontext, in which literature about beliefs about the environment is limited. Werecommend that there should be more deliberate organizational topmanagement support and finances to run environmental conservation initiativesthat will ultimately impact individual’s beliefs about the environment.Additionally, societal actors who influence other people should be empoweredto shape ICT users’ beliefs about the environment. Keywords: Societal structure, organizational structure, beliefs about the environment, green IS.