Exploring suitability of cloud computing for small and medium-sized enterprises in India

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 814-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devesh Kumar ◽  
Harsh Vardhan Samalia ◽  
Piyush Verma
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the suitability of cloud computing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. Design/methodology/approach Literature review is used to identify benefits, challenges, and factors concerning usage and adoption of cloud computing by SMEs. A conceptual framework was developed based on the existing theoretical models and factors identified from the literature. A survey based on questionnaire method was followed to collect data from 121 manufacturing SMEs in India. The conceptual framework was refined by using factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Major benefits of cloud computing for SMEs include cost advantage, easy deployment process, easier access to latest information and communication technologies, automatic updates and upgrades, scalability, flexibility, and improved disaster recovery and back-up capabilities. The concern area includes perceived loss of control, vendor lock-in, security issues, reliability and availability issues, and internet connectivity and speed. The factors that are found significant include perceived benefits, top management support, competitive pressure, and perceived concerns. The model explained 73 percent of cloud computing adoption. Research limitations/implications The study is expected to make significant contribution toward body of knowledge pertaining to information technology adoption in SMEs. Practical implications The study is expected to provide SMEs an insight into real benefits and challenges associated with adopting cloud computing. The model can help SMEs in evaluating their readiness for adopting cloud computing and can ensure successful outcome of cloud computing adoption in SMEs. Providers are also going to be benefited through their enhanced understanding of SMEs’ requirements. Originality/value The proposed framework incorporates all the relevant factors including perceived benefits, perceived concerns, and other organizational and environmental factors to improve model’s predictive power.

scholarly journals Preliminary insight into cloud computing adoption in a developing country

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prince Kwame Senyo ◽  
John Effah ◽  
Erasmus Addae
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
Trading Partners ◽  
Toe Framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of cloud computing adoption (CCA) in a developing country context through the lens of the technology, organisation and environment (TOE) framework. Design/methodology/approach – The study was carried out using the quantitative research methodology based on a survey of 305 organisations from different industries in Ghana. Based on the TOE framework, a conceptual model consisting of ten hypotheses were proposed and tested through a confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression analysis. Findings – The findings indicate that relative advantage, security concern, top management support, technology readiness, competitive pressure and trading partners’ pressure were the TOE factors found to be significant in CCA in a developing country context. Conversely, firm size, scope, compatibility and regulatory support were found to be insignificant. Originality/value – This study provides insights into CCA across different industries in a developing country environment. The study is arguably the first kind of empirical research into CCA in a developing country context, specifically in Ghana. The findings from this study provide a foundation for other studies as well as constructive insights for the development of cloud computing, due to its infancy in the developing world.

scholarly journals FACTORS INFLUENCING CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION IN SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haslinda Hassan ◽  
Mohd Herry Mohd Nasir ◽  
Norhaiza Khairudin ◽  
Iskandar Adon
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
It Resources ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Cloud computing offers information technology (IT) infrastructure, platform, and various applications via the Internet with minimum start-up cost, network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources, and pay-per-use services. Although the potential for cloud computing is evident and much of the extant research has been carried out on cloud computing adoption, empirical studies on the factors that influence cloud computing adoption in the Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are, however, lacking. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that influence cloud computing adoption by the SMEs. We conducted a quantitative survey-based study to examine the relationship between perceived benefits, top management support, IT resources, external pressure, and cloud computing adoption. A free-form comment provided at the end of each section of the survey questionnaire was treated as qualitative data. We find that IT resources and external pressure significantly influence cloud computing adoption. Nonetheless, there is not enough evidence to support perceived benefits and top management support as significant factors of cloud computing adoption.  

Modeling the implementation barriers of cloud computing adoption

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 2760-2782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Raut ◽  
Pragati Priyadarshinee ◽  
Manoj Jha ◽  
Bhaskar B. Gardas ◽  
Sachin Kamble
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Interpretive Structural Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
First Time

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and model critical barriers to cloud computing adoption (CCA) in Indian MSMEs by the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, through a literature survey and expert opinions, 14 critical barriers were identified, and the ISM tool was used to establish interrelationship among the identified barriers and to determine the key barriers having high driving power.FindingsAfter analyzing the barriers, it was found that three barriers, namely, lack of confidentiality (B8), lack of top management support (B3) and lack of sharing and collaboration (B2) were most significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed model is based on the expert opinions, which may be biased, influencing the final output of the structural model. The research implications of the developed model are to help managers of the organization in the understanding significance of the barriers and to prioritize or eliminate the same for the effective CCA.Originality/valueThis study is for the first time an attempt that has been made to apply the ISM methodology to explore the interdependencies among the critical barriers for Indian MSMEs. This paper will guide the managers at various levels of an organization for effective implementation of the cloud computing practices.

A model for evaluating the vital factors affecting cloud computing adoption

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 2475-2492
Author(s):  
Cheng Jianwen ◽  
Karzan Wakil
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
Proposed Model

Purpose Nowadays, the rapid growth of information technology strategies such as cloud computing is very noticeable in organizations. The advantages of the cloud environment are unavoidable because of an increase in innovation, flexibility and economy. Therefore, the critical topic is considering the factors affecting the adoption of cloud computing. This study aims to understand the factors of the adoption of cloud computing and its benefit in companies. Design/methodology/approach A research framework with four hypotheses has been developed based on the results of previous studies. Structural equation modeling has been used for data analysis. Findings The proposed model is verified by the results. In addition, the results have shown that cloud computing adoption is affected by four variables as follows, including human factor (with sub-indicator personal innovativeness and knowledge), organizational factor (with sub-indicator size, adequacy of resources and top management support), technical factor (with sub-indicator compatibility and security) and environmental factor (with sub-indicator regulatory environment, competitive pressure and trading partner). Research limitations/implications There are crucial implications in the findings: they have an essential contribution to the research community, administrators and Information and Communications Technology providers with respect to framing improved tactics for the adoption of cloud computing. The proposed model can enhance the perception of service providers about why some services sectors accept cloud computing amenities, whereas apparently the same ones having the same market situations do not. In addition, the above providers should enhance their interaction with the services sectors contributed to the cloud computing experience to make a well-organized setting for the adoption of cloud computing, and eliminate any ambiguity about this sort of technology. Moreover, the sample has been limited to Iran respondents. Practical implications The research studies about the usage of cloud computing have shown its effects on organizations today. Also, the different impacts of cloud computing on other contexts and organizations are in the center of attention. By carefully considering and managing cloud computing adoption logics, organizations could get significant advantages. Originality/value Cloud computing’s technical and operational issues have been central in most of the previous studies. Some surveys have referred to the adoption of cloud computing by the organizations in terms of human characteristics or the contextual factor. Therefore, there should be a model and outline to assess the effect of aforesaid factors on cloud computing adoption.

The role of institutional pressures and top management support in the intention to adopt cloud computing solutions

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ogan M. Yigitbasioglu
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
Institutional Forces ◽  
Local Actors

Purpose – While many studies have predominantly looked at the benefits and risks of cloud computing, little is known whether and to what extent institutional forces play a role in cloud computing adoption. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of institutional factors in top management team’s (TMT’s) decision to adopt cloud computing services. Design/methodology/approach – A model is developed and tested with data from an Australian survey using the partial least squares modeling technique. Findings – The results suggest that mimetic and coercive pressures influence TMT’s beliefs in the benefits of cloud computing. The results also show that TMT’s beliefs drive TMT’s participation, which in turn affects the intention to increase the adoption of cloud computing solutions. Research limitations/implications – Future studies could incorporate the influences of local actors who might also press for innovation. Practical implications – Given the influence of institutional forces and the plethora of cloud-based solutions on the market, it is recommended that TMTs exercise a high degree of caution when deciding for the types of applications to be outsourced as organizational requirements in terms of performance and security will differ. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the growing empirical literature on cloud computing adoption and offers the institutional framework as an alternative lens with which to interpret cloud-based information technology outsourcing.

Users’ attitude on perceived security of enterprise systems mobility: an empirical study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramaraj Palanisamy ◽  
Yang Wu
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Mobile Systems ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Perceived Security ◽  
High Level

Purpose This study/ paper aims to empirically examine the user attitude on perceived security of enterprise systems (ES) mobility. Organizations are adopting mobile technologies for various business applications including ES to increase the flexibility and to gain sustainable competitive advantage. At the same time, end-users are exposed to security issues when using mobile technologies. The ES have seen breaches and malicious intrusions thereby more sophisticated recreational and commercial cybercrimes have been witnessed. ES have seen data breaches and malicious intrusions leading to more sophisticated cybercrimes. Considering the significance of security in ES mobility, the research questions in this study are: What are the security issues of ES mobility? What are the influences of users’ attitude towards those security issues? What is the impact of users’ attitude towards security issues on perceived security of ES mobility? Design/methodology/approach These questions are addressed by empirically testing a security model of mobile ES by collecting data from users of ES mobile systems. Hypotheses were evolved and tested by data collected through a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire survey was administered to 331 users from Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The data was statistically analysed by tools such as correlation, factor analysis, regression and the study built a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the interactions between the variables. Findings The study results have identified the following security issues: users’ attitude towards mobile device security issues; users’ attitude towards wireless network security issues; users’ attitude towards cloud computing security issues; users’ attitude towards application-level security issues; users’ attitude towards data (access) level security issues; and users’ attitude towards enterprise-level security issues. Research limitations/implications The study results are based on a sample of users from Chinese SMEs. The findings may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to examine the model in a different context. The issues requiring further investigation are the role of gender and type of device on perceived security of ES mobile systems. Practical implications The results show that the key security issues are related to a mobile device, wireless network, cloud computing, applications, data and enterprise. By understanding these issues and the best practices, organizations can maintain a high level of security of their mobile ES. Social implications Apart from understanding the best practices and the key issues, the authors suggest management and end-users to work collaboratively to achieve a high level of security of the mobile ES. Originality/value This is an empirical study conducted from the users’ perspective for validating the set of research hypotheses related to key security issues on the perceived security of mobile ES.

Understanding determinants of cloud computing adoption using an integrated TAM-TOE model

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemlata Gangwar ◽  
Hema Date ◽  
R Ramaswamy
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
Tam Model ◽  
Toe Framework

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to integrate TAM model and TOE framework for cloud computing adoption at organizational level. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework was developed using technological and organizational variables of TOE framework as external variables of TAM model while environmental variables were proposed to have direct impact on cloud computing adoption. A questionnaire was used to collect the data from 280 companies in IT, manufacturing and finance sectors in India. The data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Further, structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model. Findings – The study identified relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, organizational readiness, top management commitment, and training and education as important variables for affecting cloud computing adoption using perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) as mediating variables. Also, competitive pressure and trading partner support were found directly affecting cloud computing adoption intentions. The model explained 62 percent of cloud computing adoption. Practical implications – The model can be used as a guideline to ensure a positive outcome of the cloud computing adoption in organizations. It also provides relevant recommendations to achieve conducive implementation environment for cloud computing adoption. Originality/value – This study integrates two of the information technology adoption models to improve predictive power of resulting model.

scholarly journals A Conceptual Model for Cloud Computing Adoption by SMEs in Australia

2016 ◽  
pp. 307-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishan Senarathna ◽  
Matthew Warren ◽  
William Yeoh ◽  
Scott Salzman
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Business Service ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Public Cloud ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
The Public ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption

Cloud Computing is an increasingly important worldwide development in business service provision. The business benefits of Cloud Computing usage include reduced IT overhead costs, greater flexibility of services, reduced TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), on-demand services, and improved productivity. As a result, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly adopting Cloud Computing technology because of these perceived benefits. The most economical deployment model in Cloud Computing is called the Public Cloud, which is especially suitable for SMEs because it provides almost immediate access to hardware resources and reduces their need to purchase an array of advanced hardware and software applications. The changes experienced in Cloud Computing adoption over the past decade are unprecedented and have raised important issues with regard to privacy, security, trust, and reliability. This chapter presents a conceptual model for Cloud Computing adoption by SMEs in Australia.

Systems approach to cloud computing adoption in an emerging economy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahak Sharma ◽  
Ruchita Gupta ◽  
Padmanav Acharya ◽  
Karuna Jain
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
Financial Loss ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption

PurposeCloud computing (CC) services have given a tremendous boost to the creation of efficient and effective solutions. With developing countries at a slow pace of adoption, this research aims to identify factors and their interrelationships influencing the adoption of CC in a developing country context. The developing countries are enjoying numerous benefits from CC services; however, its low adoption is still a question in developing economies; hence, the authors have selected the context of information and communication technology (ICT) firms in India.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative research method is used where experts from thirteen ICT firms in India are interviewed.FindingsSixteen factors, twenty-eight subfactors, and 25 interrelationships are revealed through content analysis. Further, causal loop diagrams are proposed to display the behavior of cause and effect of these factors from a system's perspective. This will help to understand the relationships among the factors in order to enhance the speed of CC adoption. Possible financial loss and resistance to change are found as the key barriers to adoption. The proposed interrelationships can guide both policymakers and service providers for designing effective CC policies.Originality/valueThis is the first scholarly work that identifies interrelationships among factors and subfactors, thereby providing a holistic picture to decision-makers while making a choice on whether to adopt cloud services or continue with on premise data centers and servers.

A Security Framework for Secure Cloud Computing Environments

2019 ◽  
pp. 249-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mouna Jouini ◽  
Latifa Ben Arfa Rabai
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
Failure Cost ◽  
Computing Environments ◽  
Secure Cloud Computing ◽  
Security Risk Assessment

Cloud computing technology is a relatively new concept of providing scalable and virtualized resources, software and hardware on demand to consumers. It presents a new technology to deliver computing resources as a service. It offers a variety of benefits like services on demand and provisioning and suffers from several weaknesses. In fact, security presents a major obstacle in cloud computing adoption. In this paper, the authors will deal with security problems in cloud computing systems and show how to solve these problems using a quantitative security risk assessment model named Multi-dimensional Mean Failure Cost (M2FC). In fact, they summarize first security issues related to cloud computing environments and then propose a generic framework that analysis and evaluate cloud security problems and then propose appropriate countermeasures to solve these problems.

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