The effect of information and communication technologies capability on environmental performance of manufacturing enterprises: The case of Turkey

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become one of the important tools supporting environmental sustainability. The main purpose of this study is to exami-ne the effects of ICT capability on environmental performance of manufacturing enterpri-ses in Turkey and to reveal this interaction through analyses. In the study, the World Bank Enterprise Surveys (WBES) dataset was used to evaluate the information of 1663 enterp-rises operating in Turkey. In the study, the variables of "licensed technology use", "exter-nal information procurement", "ICT investments" and "website presence" under ICT ca-pability, and the variables of "environmental management", "environmental monitoring and auditing" and "environmental goals" under environmental performance were conside-red. Firstly, the relationships between the variables were analyzed by Chi-Square analysis; then the effects of independent variables on environmental performance indicators were tested by logistic regression method. In the last stage, Simple K-Means clustering analysis was applied and enterprises were clustered according to their ICT capabilities and envi-ronmental performance levels. The results of the analysis reveal that information techno-logies are determinants of environmental performance and that these capabilities are an important tool for environmental sustainability. In line with the findings, it is concluded that manufacturing enterprises should improve their ICT capacity to improve their envi-ronmental performance and policy recommendations are provided. This study is related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action), and is indirectly associated with Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).