Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy
  • Honours

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Information Systems

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Energy Transition Centre

Supervisors

Dr Kenan Degirmenci
Position
Course Coordinator
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Overview

The challenge to keep global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels has become even greater due to a continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2023). One major challenge is the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy to reduce emissions (Gholami et al., 2016). The share of renewable energy in electricity generation has increased to 28.3%, however, an acceleration of the pace of the transition is required to limit global temperature rise (REN21, 2022).

Due to the contingencies and dynamics of the renewable energy transition, trust is a critical factor in communities (Walker et al., 2010). In this regard, trust is a complex, multi-dimensional concept that plays an essential role in any context where there is interaction among different parties. Three dimensions are integral for a profound understanding of trusting beliefs: competence, integrity, and benevolence (Mayer et al., 1995).

In this project, we investigate the multiple dimensions of trust in the context of renewable energies, including how trust is formed and expressed in online communities. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for service innovation, system and customer value, and energy policy at the community level. This project is part of the Research Group Behavioural Energy Analytics & Modelling (BEAM), based in the School of Information Systems.

References

  • Gholami, R., Watson, R. T., Hasan, H., Molla, A., & Bjørn-Andersen, N. 2016. Information systems solutions for environmental sustainability: How can we do more? Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 17(8), pp. 521-536. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00435
  • IPCC. 2023. AR6 synthesis report: Climate change 2023. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr
  • Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrative model of organizational trust. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 709-734. https://doi.org/10.2307/258792
  • REN21. 2022. Renewables 2022: Global status report. https://www.ren21.net/gsr-2022
  • Walker, G., Devine-Wright, P., Hunter, S., High, H., & Evans, B. (2010). Trust and community: Exploring the meanings, contexts and dynamics of community renewable energy. Energy Policy, 38, 2655-2663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.05.055

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