Sustainable business strategies and PESTEL framework

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a brief review of cloud computing, followed by an analysis of cloud computing environment using the PESTEL framework. The future implications and limitations of adopting cloud computing as an effective eco-friendly strategy to reduce carbon footprint are also discussed in the paper. This paper concludes with a recommendation to guide researchers to further examine this phenomenon. Organizations today face tough economic times, especially following the recent global financial crisis and the evidence of catastrophic climate change. International and local businesses find themselves compelled to review their strategies. They need to consider their organizational expenses and priorities and to strategically consider how best to save. Traditionally, Information Technology (IT) department is one area that would be affected negatively in the review. Continuing to fund these strategic technologies during an economic downturn is vital to organizations. It is predicted that in coming years IT resources will only be available online. More and more organizations are looking at operating smarter businesses by investigating technologies such as cloud computing, virtualization and green IT to find ways to cut costs and increase efficiencies.