A Synergistic Partnership: Decision-Making for Green Energy Adoption in China Data Centers for Sustainable Business Development

Abstract

This thesis presents a critical analysis of strategic decision-making for green energy adoption in China's rapidly growing Internet Data Center (IDC) industry. The industry is grappling with pressing challenges around energy consumption, carbon emissions, and stringent regulatory pressures. This research bridges the fields of economics, business strategy, and environmental studies, providing a comprehensive view of the IDC industry's green transition within China's distinctive energy landscape.

The research offers a holistic examination of the economic, environmental, and regulatory drivers prompting Chinese IDCs to integrate green energy. It elucidates a range of green energy strategies, highlighting potential benefits, inherent challenges, and the complex decision-making processes IDCs face. The centerpiece of this thesis is a novel hierarchical decision-making framework comprising six stages: demand analysis, supply analysis, regulatory compliance, financial considerations, technical feasibility, and risk management. It offers a comprehensive approach to strategy formulation, integrating diverse factors that influence green energy decisions.

The utility and versatility of the proposed decision-making framework are illustrated through case studies of two companies in China, underscoring the flexibility of the framework in accommodating unique circumstances and strategic priorities, thereby illuminating the nuances of green energy decision-making.