Effective cooperation with energy consumers. An example of an ethical approach to introduce an innovative solution
| Date | 06 May 2014 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-07-2013-0021 |
| Pages | 107-121 |
| Published date | 06 May 2014 |
| Author | Barbara Begier |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance |
Effective cooperation with
energy consumers
An example of an ethical approach
to introduce an innovative solution
Barbara Begier
Institute of Control and Information Engineering,
Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland
Abstract
Purpose – Research described in this paper focuses on a need to consult inhabitants about a new technical
solution introduced in a country-wide scale like it is in the case of a smart metering system – finally, all
energy consumers will become its users. Its social acceptance is required. So it is a good exampleof an e thical
approach to introduce an innovative solution in the society. The conducted research was intended to help
developing strategy to build appropriate relationships with energy consumers during the planned exchange
of energy meters and to prepare energy consumers to make use of all functionality of the installed meters.
The course of the conducted research and its results are presented. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach – The described forms of cooperation with people are direct
interviewsinfocus groupsand a questionnairesurveyinvolving representativesocial sample(surveyshave
been conducted during direct meetings and via internet). They are described as a case study. An agenda of
each interview and also a content of a questionnaire cover topics within thearea of natural environment
protection,a needto save energy,individual activitiesleadingto energy saving,smart metering,its benefits
and potentialthreats includingrisk of intrusion privacy. Selected results are included.
Findings – Consultations (with energy consumers) based on focus groups and questionnaire surveys
have been well accepted by the participants. Respondents feel a need to express their opinions on a
given subject. Citizens’ attention concerns mostly the economic aspects of a new system. Energy
consumers are able to formulate and declare strong and weak points of smart meters. Some threats
concerning intrusion of privacy have been expressed by respondents and included in the paper.
Practical implications – General conclusionis the following – each large system is not only a set of
technical devices and software routines but it is also a system builtby humans and for humans. Wide
consultationson a smart metering bring benefitsand help ensuring social acceptance.The raising social
awarenessof the need to save energyis one more benefit from the undertakenactivities. An importanceof
consulting people about new solution involving all inhabitants is emphasized. Direct and structured
interviewsare the preferred formof social consultations.it is highlighted by some of thepollsters involved
in the survey that respondents tellthe truth rather in a direct conversation than in a remote mode via
internet (involvedpollsters have had an opportunity tocheck if respondents’ statements are true).
Originality/value – The described research took place in November 2012. Earlier only technical
experts and academia were involved in discussions concerning smart metering. Selected data are
included to show results of the research. The presented approach may help interested parties to
introduce new solution and to avoid social opposition, rejection of the idea and misunderstandings.
Keywords Privacy, Computerethics, Pervasive computing, IT ethics,Public domain software,
Software engineering
Paper type Case study
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1477-996X.htm
The author thanks the Polish Power Transmission and Distribution Association (its acronym in
Polish is PTPiREE) for making available the results of the described research which was
financed by the National Fund of Environmental Preservation and Water Economy in Poland.
Received 12 July 2013
Revised 8 November 2013
20 December 2013
Accepted 8 January 2014
Journal of Information,
Communication and Ethics in Society
Vol. 12 No. 2, 2014
pp. 107-121
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-07-2013-0021
Cooperation
with energy
consumers
107
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