The Challenges of « Going Green »: HCL Infosystems in India

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The Challenges of « Going Green »: HCL Infosystems in India: Abstract

This case is based on India’s leading information technology company, HCL Infosystems, which has not only introduced new technologies, but also created a market for them through education. It has also been successful in taking IT to the grassroots level by offering cheaper hardware than its competitors. It came as a shock for the company to learn that not only had it scored poorly in the rankings of the Indian Guide to Greener Electronics, released by Greenpeace in 2007, but it was accused of « greenwashing » for supplying computer systems containing toxic components. The company took immediate action to repair the damage done to its reputation. However, intermediate and long-term steps towards going green necessitated huge investments in R&D in order to develop alternate technologies and substitutes for toxic chemicals and to manage safe waste disposal programs. The adoption of the EPR principle was also fraught with problems. The company faces the challenge of adopting measures to eliminate/reduce e-waste while pursuing its strategy of low pricing.

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