Socioecological Perspectives on Green Internet Implementation: A Qualitative Study of Awareness, Sustainable Practices, and Challenges

This research presents a systems-thinking analysis of Green Internet implementation in Zimbabwe, integrating the Socioecological Model and Life Cycle Model to provide a multi-faceted understanding of the challenges involved. This study analytically investigates the multilevel socioecological factors and dynamics of the technology life cycle that influence the adoption of sustainable IT principles among institutional actors. Utilizing a hermeneutic phenomenographic approach and data from 102 in-depth interviews, this study reveals a significant lack of awareness, inconsistent implementation, and systemic constraints. A key analytical finding is the dominance of cost-driven procurement and a widespread “technological fetish”, which, combined with the absence of a national e-waste regulation, constitutes a permissive constraint that enables unsustainable practices in the country. The study identifies the lack of a formal e-waste recycling infrastructure and a “fear of disposal” as critical inhibitors in the end-of-life phase of the technology life cycle. Rather than viewing these issues in isolation, this research uses a systems lens to identify the establishment of a national e-waste law with mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a crucial leverage point. This intervention is a strategic measure to overcome structural impediments and promote sustainable urban development in policy-fragile, low-resource contexts, providing valuable insights for policymakers and contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable ICT adoption in education.