A cloud computing adoption in Indian SMEs: Scale development and validation approach

Research on Cloud Computing (CC) adoption seems to be one of the less explored and examined topics in the Information Systems (IS) domains, particularly for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Prior research on CC adoption does not appreciate the benefits of using Innovation Translation Approach. Instead, Essentialist Approach, a simplistic view of CC adoption which is based only on the technological characteristics of the innovation is prevalent. Thus, this study integrates the Technology-Organization-Environment framework as an IS adoption theory while Actor Network Theory as an Innovation Translation Approach in proposing the SMEs-CC adoption framework.

Cloud computing (CC) represents a third-generation computing platform that offers numerous benefits, including faster data transactions, cost advantages, elasticity, flexibility, and pay-per-use models, among others. However, CC adoption in developing nations, such as Somalia, is impeded by various challenges. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing CC adoption in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Somalia. Data was collected from 195 ICT officials and experts in the SME domain in Mogadishu, Somalia, and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that cost savings, firm size, top management support, and regulatory support significantly influence CC adoption in SMEs. Conversely, security concerns and competitive pressure showed no significant relationship with CC adoption. This study contributes to the literature by examining the technology, organization, and environment (TOE) framework in the context of CC adoption and provides valuable insights to inform policymaking and promote CC adoption in developing nations. Nonetheless, the study's limitation lies in its narrow focus on Somalia, and the generalizability of the results to other developing nations may be limited.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the dynamism of causal relationships among cloud computing (CC) adoption factors in the Indian context, considering the perspectives of both the cloud adopter and cloud provider.Design/methodology/approachThe case-study method has been used to understand the dynamics among the factors. Using data from specific cases in India, causal loop diagrams (CLDs) have been developed. System dynamic modeling (SDM) and simulation are used to study the relationships and their effect on the adoption rate.FindingsThe results revealed that adoption of CC depends on various factors such as persuasion (time-saving, cost-saving and word of mouth) and constraint factors (security and financial loss). However, it is seen that the adoption rate is very sensitive to changes in adoption per contact and word of mouth. Further, the adopter firm has a quicker time to market, which gives an added advantage to the firm. Also, with CC services, a firm can fulfill its projects or clients' requirements with little to no upfront investment in information technology (IT) services.Practical implicationsLack of security, standardization and undefined service-level agreements are a few pressing issues that make it difficult for firms to evaluate the performance and reliability of services. Hence, immediate attention is needed to make transparent policies on CC and its services, thereby building trust.Originality/valueThis is the first and only work that has tried to explore and empirically test the dynamics of critical factors while making an adoption decision, considering both the adopter and provider perspectives. This study shows the journey of a firm, starting from being a prospective adopter to an adopter and continuous user. The work also empirically tested how adopters of technology benefit from the technology.

Scholarly research works on the adoption of Cloud Computing (CC) have recently emerged with the technology’s importance for organizations at a fast pace. Despite the numerous advantages of CC adoption for financial institutions (FI) in terms of storage cost mitigation, computation higher increase, and information access higher access rates from any place, Banking’s CC adoption executives and practitioners are badly seeking to obtain trustworthy recipes of how to utilize CC adoption frameworks to transform banks operations to cloud. In this vein and based on a systematic literature review (SLR) method, we conducted a review of 370 empirical studies from 2011 to 2021, downsized the studies to 27 directly relevant papers to reveal 14 frameworks, methods, models, or strategies of CC adoption in Banking sectors in 14 countries, and compared the findings across studies in terms of the utilized frameworks, methods, models, or strategies.

Scholarly research works on the adoption of Cloud Computing (CC) have recently emerged with the technology’s importance for organizations at a fast pace. Despite the numerous advantages of CC adoption for financial institutions (FI) in terms of storage cost mitigation, computation higher increase, and information access higher access rates from any place, Banking’s CC adoption executives and practitioners are badly seeking to obtain trustworthy recipes of how to utilize CC adoption frameworks to transform banks operations to cloud. In this vein and based on a systematic literature review (SLR) method, we conducted a review of 370 empirical studies from 2011 to 2021, downsized the studies to 27 directly relevant papers to reveal 14 frameworks, methods, models, or strategies of CC adoption in Banking sectors in 14 countries, and compared the findings across studies in terms of the utilized frameworks, methods, models, or strategies.

This paper presents the results of research investigating the impact of business model factors on cloud computing adoption. The introduced...

Cloud computing is a new information technology paradigm, one which has been adopted in many different sectors. Many developing countries are working on improving e-government to provide services to their citizens that are integrated and effective. Therefore, the Saudi government has made improving e-government a high priority. The aim of this study is to explore significant factors affecting the adoption of cloud computing in e-government services in Saudi Arabia as a case study. After identifying these factors, we propose a new comprehensive model for the Adoption of Cloud Computing in Saudi G-GOVernment (ACCE-GOV) that has been adopted from the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework and the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory. This research model examines factors of technological context (compatibility, complexity, service quality, security, and relative advantages), organisational context (top management support, organisation size, and technology readiness), environmental context (regulations and competitive pressures), and social context (awareness, trust, and attitude) in regard to the adoption of cloud computing. Ultimately, this study enhances the decision-making of the Saudi government through understanding and highlighting the most important factors that influence the adoption of cloud computing in an e-government context. This is a position paper, reporting on the work in progress. The findings of this study will be useful for the researchers who considers suitability of different methodological approaches for cloud computing adoption and evaluation.

The sustainability aspect must be implemented during all the phases of the decision-making phase regarding construction project execution to obtain the full advantages, shorn of conceding the project objective. Cloud computing (CC) has been an appreciated tool for successful and viable building processes in various nations over the past twenty years. CC and its drivers have certainly enhanced the successful and sustainable targets of quality, cost, and time. Conversely, CC adoption by the building industry in Egypt. Hence, the aim of this study is to build a decision support model to back drivers of CC adoption by analyzing the relationship concerning drivers of CC in building business in Egypt. The data was derived from various sources of the literature. A questionnaire survey for quantitative data generation followed this. The data was derived from 106 building practitioners in Egypt. Consequently, the study employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to authenticate the findings derived from the survey tool. The results categorized the drivers into three groups: Technology Drivers, Client Support Drivers, and Organization Drivers. Structural equation modeling using partial least squares (PLS-SEM) was then applied to test the relationships and rank their influence. Findings indicate that Technology is the most significant driver of CC adoption (β = 0.378, p < 0.001), followed closely by Client Support (β = 0.372, p < 0.001) and Organization (β = 0.360, p < 0.001). These findings can be used as a baseline or criteria for decision-making concerning improvements in the cost-effectiveness of CC and its proficiency to increase efficacy in the building sector. Therefore, this study adds to the understanding of contemporary construction management and engineering by extending the existing literature on CC adoption derivers and their effects on the building industry.

Today, with significant improvements of computing capacities, the world is witnessing significant technological advancements. Cloud computing especially, is increasingly becoming an advantageous tool, in developed countries especially, and these countries have invested substantially in cloud computing systems to enable the implementation of hi-tech advancements in many of their industries. On the other hand, in developing and underdeveloped countries, the adoption of cloud computing is still in the early stages; as can be observed, there has been some form of digital transformation of data systems in these countries. In Jordan, The factors affecting cloud computing adoption among higher education institutions were still underexplored, especially on the issues pertaining to cloud computing adoption. Therefore. Major factors with potential impact on user adoption of cloud computing were hence reviewed in this study. A conceptual framework of cloud computing adoption based on Extended Technology-Organizational-Environmental (TOE) framework by Tornatzky and Fleischer was proposed. The framework includes individual factors as the theoretical base for cloud computing adoption, to provide an inclusive comprehension on the factors that could affect behavioral intention and use of cloud computing.

Cloud Computing (CC) is a paradigm shift with the potential of transforming the information and communication technology (ICT) industry. ICT is an integral part of all businesses, and CC helps in lightening the burden of massive ICT investments. Thus, it is essential to understand the factors that influence CC adoption. The purpose of this study is to identify and rank critical factors for CC adoption in the Indian context. The research has adopted mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative). Experts from 13 organizations (including 8 cloud service providers (CSPs) and 5 cloud service users (CSUs)) are interviewed. Content analysis is used to confirm existing factors and identify new factors in the Indian context. Qualitative analysis has identified four new factors, namely, ‘time to market’, ‘futuristic’, ‘resistance to change’ and ‘financial losses’ (arising from security and resource availability). The quantitative part of the research used analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) techniques to rank the factors. The analysis revealed ‘IT service cost’ and ‘time to market’ as the most critical factor through FAHP and AHP respectively. However, ‘organization size’ is reported the least critical for CC adoption through both the methods. The results also highlight divergence among the criticality of CC adoption factors using the two techniques. The study is very useful for CSPs and key decision-makers to understand the critical adoption factors and judiciously strategize for CC service promotions. It will also help users to wisely decide while making CC adoption decision.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the adoption of cloud computing by firms belonging to the high-tech industry. The eight factors examined in this study are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, firm size, technology readiness, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect data from 111 firms belonging to the high-tech industry in Taiwan. Relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by logistic regression analysis. Findings The findings revealed that relative advantage, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure characteristics have a significant effect on the adoption of cloud computing. Research limitations/implications The research was conducted in the high-tech industry, which may limit the generalisability of the findings. Practical implications The findings offer cloud computing service providers with a better understanding of what affects cloud computing adoption characteristics, with relevant insight on current promotions. Originality/value The research contributes to the application of new technology cloud computing adoption in the high-tech industry through the use of a wide range of variables. The findings also help firms consider their information technologies investments when implementing cloud computing.

Due to low level of penetration of ICT in SME sector, Indian SMEs are deprived of benefits like improved efficiency, better market linkages and enhanced customer services. Cloud computing has the potential to accelerate ICT adoption among SMEs, by making ICT accessible to the small businesses without incurring much costs and efforts. Cloud computing can prove to be very beneficial to SMEs. Flexible cost structure and delivery of computing services through internet can make cloud computing a unique proposition for SMEs. Other features such as scalability, flexibility and easy deployment process provide an opportunity for small businesses to get access to the most advanced & latest technologies at affordable cost. However, issues like lack of knowledge/awareness about cloud computing, poor internet connectivity, security & privacy concerns, lack of trust, and vendor lock-in prevent small businesses from adopting cloud computing. In spite of these concerns, cloud computing can still prove to be commercially viable option to SMEs. The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate key factors influencing SME's intention to adopt cloud computing in Himachal Pradesh, India. Findings of this work are intended to provide valuable insights for practitioners and researchers who are interested in spreading the usage & adoption of cloud computing among SMEs.

To adopt or not to adopt? The determinants of cloud computing adoption in information technology sector

Cloud computing is a phenomenon that is currently a lot of attention from practitioners of information technology. Cloud computing can be composed of several types of services that are known to Saas, PaaS and IaaS, public and private cloud computing. Companies that do not invest themselves in the information technology infrastructure to use cloud computing services as a solution. By adopting and implementing a cloud computing services company can shift the cost of information technology infrastructure investments become operational costs by purchasing cloud computing services. Nevertheless, cloud computing, especially for the type of private cloud is still a bit of adopting it, whether it is caused by the absence of reference to the implementation or caused by something else. The purpose of this study was to analyze the adoption of cloud computing that suitable and beneficial for the company in its operational activities. The study was conducted by analysis of some of the literature related to cloud computing, benefits and barriers. According to the analysis of the literature can be explained some of the benefits associated with the adoption of cloud computing. Based on several studies that have been done, the benefits of implementing cloud computing is primarily financial savings and benefits of resource management that is the flexibility and scalability of the company's operations. However, some considerations still need to be done for a company that will implement cloud computing and those things are data security issues, legal issues and the implications for the company.

Research aims: This study aims to identify the factors that influence the Indonesian local government employees to adopt cloud computing. Design/Methodology/Approach: A Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) theory were employed to identify these factors. Research data were obtained using an online survey of employees, working in local governments in Indonesia. This study obtained 123 responses, which were then processed utilizing the structural equation modeling approach. Research findings: The results showed that Performance Expectations, Business Expectations, and Perception of Availability had a positive effect on the intention of local government employees to use cloud computing. Theoretical contribution/ Originality: This study expanded the UTAUT model by including security factors. Thus, creating a new cloud computing adoption model contributed to a theoretical finding in the context of government cloud computing adoption. Practitioner/Policy implication: The results of this study make practical contributions to cloud computing service providers in order to understand what factors drive the adoption of cloud computing by local government employees. In addition, the study also helps the top management in local government organizations to develop adoption strategies by understanding the influential determinants of cloud computing adoption on their employees. Research limitation/Implication: The context of this study is restricted to Indonesian local government employees. The local government employees have their characteristics, and it is different from other government employees in the central government.