A multifaceted framework for adoption of cloud computing in Malaysian SMEs

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 708-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Asiaei ◽  
Nor Zairah Ab. Rahim
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Significant Implication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
Intention To Adopt

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a model to understand the relationships among technology, organizational and environmental (TOE) contexts, intention to adopt cloud computing (IACC) and actual usage of cloud computing (AUCC) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia as a developing country. More specifically, this paper seeks to explore the mediation effect of IACC on the relationship between TOE context and AUCC. Design/methodology/approach A positivist research approach was selected for this study. Drawing largely upon the TOE framework, this study uses survey data from 209 Malaysian SMEs. Structural equation modelling (SEM) based on partial least squares (PLS) was used to assess the structural relations of the research model. Findings The results of the structural model show that data security, technology readiness, top management support, competitive pressure and innovativeness are the most significant factors in predicting the adoption of cloud computing in Malaysian SMEs. Further, the results indicate that intention to adopt cloud computing can play a mediating role between TOE factors and the actual usage of cloud computing. Research limitations/implications The focus upon Malaysian SMEs may diminish the generalizability of the findings. This study provides profound insight into the management and foundation of cloud computing, different types of cloud services and deployment models that could facilitate the management of enterprise strategic resources and contribute to the performance improvement. This study also provides another important implication for practitioners regarding the absolute necessity of value drivers’ identification within enterprise and understand the causal relationships, which are vital in driving those values. Practical implications This study provides several practical guidance for practitioners in deploying cloud services which are most suitable option for their specific technology requirement in their enterprise to enjoy the full benefits of their intangible assets. Another significant implication of this study lies in the fact that it may require a different emphasis on nature and adoption design when there is a higher level of stress on technology-related and cloud computing resources. Originality/value This study contributes to the extant literature by developing an integrative model to identify how a wide set of contextual factors can determine the intention to adopt cloud computing and, in turn, influence the actual usage of cloud computing in SMEs in Malaysia as a developing country.

Investigating the intention to adopt smartphone apps among the entrepreneurs of a developing country

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadur Ali Soomro ◽  
Naimatullah Shah ◽  
Maqsood Memon
Keyword(s):  
Developing Country ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Actual Usage ◽  
Intention To Adopt

Purpose Nowadays, in mobile communication, smartphone is one of the modern progress and emergent phenomena for business as well as social networking. The purpose of this paper is to investigate an intention to adopt smartphone apps among the entrepreneurs of a developing country. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative methods based on cross-section data are employed for examining an intention towards adopting smartphone apps. The data are collected through a survey questionnaire. In the initial stage, 500 questionnaires were randomly distributed among the businessmen of a developing context. The value of the return samples is 280. The response rate has remained at 56 per cent. Findings By applying the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression show a positive and significant relationship of perceived usefulness, ease of use, perceived enjoyment and satisfaction with an intention to adopt smartphone apps. On the other hand, a positive and non-significant relationship between social needs and the intention to adopt smartphone apps is investigated. Practical implications The present study may provide valuable insights into the use pattern of smartphones among entrepreneurs and contribute for nurturing an intention to adopt smartphone apps in the developing context. Moreover, such a study may contribute to the literature of the developing country context, especially in the perspective of developing an intention and attitude towards smartphone apps. Originality/value This paper offers the factors which may be supportive of the actual usage of smartphone applications. The study is original containing data from a developing country.

Attitude: mediator of subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juma Bananuka ◽  
Musa Kasera ◽  
Grace Muganga Najjemba ◽  
Doreen Musimenta ◽  
Bob Ssekiziyivu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Subjective Norm ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Adopt ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Secular State

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of a study carried out to examine the mediating effect of attitude in the relationship between subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking in a developing secular state like Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study’ research design was cross sectional. Closed ended questionnaires were distributed to 258 managers of micro businesses in Uganda. Data were analyzed with the help of SPSS v22 and MedGraph program (Excel version). Findings Attitude is a significant mediator in the relationship between subjective norm and intention to adopt Islamic banking. Also, attitude significantly mediates the relationship between religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking. Research limitations/implications The study used only a single research methodological approach; therefore, future research could be undertaken using a mixed-methods approach. Practical implications Emphasis should be put on improving the mindsets of Ugandans toward Islamic banking. Originality/value While there has been a number of studies on Islamic banking, this study provides an initial empirical evidence on the mediation effect of attitude in the relationship between subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking in a single study in an African developing secular state like Uganda.

Cloud-based services and customer satisfaction in the small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs)

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shurui Gao ◽  
Weidong Meng
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Data Security ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
It Infrastructure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cloud Data ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
It Knowledge

PurposeCloud-based technologies are reliably improving Information Technology (IT) environment incorporating changes and modifications to the present business structure. Cloud computing enables small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to organize and exchange pertinent data and information in real time. This study checks out the influence of cloud-based services (IT infrastructure, expenses of cloud services, cloud data security and IT knowledge of human resources) on customers' satisfaction in SMBs.Design/methodology/approachCloud computing offers a way to coordinate and share organizational and personal information and data. The adoption of cloud services is one of the most emerging technological advances in the current competitive business environment. Cloud-based services allow start-ups or SMBs to take advantage of technological advancements and respond more quickly to changing consumer demands. In the available literature, cloud computing has received a lot of attention. However, there is also a research gap in creating a paradigm that links the value development drivers in the electronic industry with the leveraging impact of cloud and intercloud computing resources for start-ups and SMBs. A hypothetical model was constructed based on a literature review, and the associations between the latent variables were investigated utilizing structural equations.FindingsFindings from the study confirmed the validity of the proposed model for customer satisfaction assessment. Besides, the results showed that customer satisfaction is affected by cloud-based services in SMBs. The results illustrated that IT infrastructure influences customer satisfaction significantly and positively, with a T-value of 2.42. Also, the results confirmed that the cost of cloud services with a T-value of 2.68 affects customer satisfaction significantly and positively. Cloud data security also impacts customer satisfaction with a T-value of 5.20. The results also showed that the IT knowledge of human resources affects customer satisfaction with a T-value of 3.01.Originality/valueThe main originality of this research is proposing a new conceptual model to assess the impact of cloud-based services on the satisfaction of the customers in SMBs.

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.

Pressures of CSR in India: an institutional perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijita S. Aggarwal ◽  
Aruna Jha
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Embeddedness ◽  
Managerial Perceptions

Purpose Wide differences in the focus and form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) exist among countries due to the different institutional embeddedness of CSR practices. The purpose of this paper is to seek to explain them within the framework provided by institutional theory by identifying important pressures driving CSR practices. Further, it intends to extend theory by proposing a conceptual model that relates institutional pressures, CSR practices, reputation and financial performance of corporates in a developing country like India. Design/methodology/approach Drawing upon the extant literature on the constructs, the paper describes their evolution through decades and weaves relationship between them. Institutional theory provides the framework to develop hypotheses. Findings The model has its roots in Scott’s institutional theory – linking regulative, normative and cognitive pressures to CSR practices. Reputation mediates the relationship between CSR and financial performance. Practical implications The conceptual model can serve as a foundation for subsequent empirical research. An understanding of relationship between constructs in the model will help corporates to strategize CSR initiatives. At the organisational level, insight into managerial perceptions of CSR practices will help to identify the need for training, if there is a gap between what organisation intends and what managers perceive. Originality/value The authors have proposed for the first time an integrative model that will help to understand the antecedents as well as consequences of CSR practices in a developing country within a theoretical framework.

The role of marketing and product design in driving firm’s performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Canto Primo ◽  
Irene Gil-Saura ◽  
Marta Frasquet-Deltoro
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Product Differentiation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Orientation ◽  
Design Orientation

Purpose This study aims to suggest an integrative model to investigate design orientation by analyzing its links with market orientation and its ability to generate and maintain a competitive advantage and improve effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach The structural equation technique is used to test the research hypotheses based on data from the Spanish furniture and lighting industries. The data are obtained from the responses of 209 companies to a questionnaire targeted at design and marketing managers. Findings The results suggest that design orientation helps companies to gain competitive advantages in product differentiation and improve business effectiveness. The design orientation is stimulated by proactive market orientation and by marketing-design integration during the development of new products. The design orientation fully mediates the effect of proactive marketing orientation on perceived effectiveness. Originality/value This study uses a quantitative research approach to propose and test an integrative model that relates design orientation with the generation of competitive advantage in product differentiation and perceived effectiveness.

Students' intention to adopt e-government learning services: a developing country perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laila Al-Omairi ◽  
Hosam Al-Samarraie ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani ◽  
Nasser Alalwan
Keyword(s):  
Developing Country ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Adopt ◽  
Learning Development ◽  
Underlying Processes

PurposeIn any developing country, the critical benefits for ensuring proper utilization of e-government learning services have basically emerged from the integration of underlying processes – not only across different levels of government but also across different functions and agencies. The literature showed a notable lack of research to underline the limited use of e-government learning services in a university setting. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine students' intention to adopt e-government learning services in a developing country. Precisely, the existent to which reputation, social influence, information quality and system quality of e-government learning services would influence students' trust, perceived usefulness and perceived learning values was investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe effect from these variables on students' intention to use e-government learning services was also investigated. A total of 406 questionnaires were collected and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) modeling.FindingsThe results showed varying relationships between the study's variables. It is anticipated that understanding these relationships can predict future learning trends of e-government learning services use among university students, thus helping decision makers plan ahead, prioritize tasks and make better decisions.Originality/valueKnowledge about students' intention to use e-government learning services is even useful for the implementation of other services by higher education institutions. This study also offers some implications for practitioners and researchers concerned about the application of e-government in students' learning development.

A comparative study of the evolution of vulnerabilities in IT systems and its relation to the new concept of cloud computing

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Issam Kouatli
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
It Systems ◽  
Weighted Score ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to classify and categorize the vulnerability types emerged with time as information technology (IT) systems evolved. This comparative study aims to compare the seriousness of the old well-known vulnerabilities that may still exist with lower possibility of happening with that of new technologies like cloud computing with Mobility access. Cloud computing is a new structure of IT that is becoming the main part of the new model of business environment. However, issues regarding such new hype of technology do not come without obstacles. These issues have to be addressed before full acceptability of cloud services in a globalized business environment. Businesses need to be aware of issues of concerns before joining the cloud services. This paper also highlights these issues and shows the comparison table to help businesses with appropriate decision-making when joining the cloud. Design/methodology/approach – A historical review of emerged vulnerabilities as IT systems evolved was conducted, then these vulnerabilities were categorized into eight different categories, each of which composed of multiple vulnerability types. Simple scoring techniques were used to build a “risk” analysis table where each vulnerability type was given a score based on availability of matured solution and the likeliness of happening, then in case of vulnerability type, another score was used to derive the impact of such vulnerability. The resulted weighted score can be derived from the multiplication of likeliness to happen score with that of its impact in case it did happen. Percentage of seriousness represented by the percentage of the derived weighted score of each of the vulnerabilities can then be concluded. Similar table was developed for issues related to cloud computing environment in specific. Findings – After surveying the historical background of IT systems and emerged vulnerabilities as well as reviewing the common malicious types of system vulnerabilities, this paper identifies 22 different types of vulnerability categorized in eight different categories. This comparative study explores amount of possible vulnerabilities in new technology like cloud computing services. Specific issues for cloud computing were also explored and a similar comparative study was developed on these issues. The result of the comparative study between all types of vulnerabilities since the start of IT system development till today’s technology of cloud computing, shows that the highest percentage vulnerability category was the one related to mobility access as mobile applications/systems are relatively newly emerged and do not have a matured security solution(s). Practical implications – Learning from history, one can conclude the current risk factor in dealing with new technology like cloud computing. Businesses can realize that decision to join the cloud requires thinking about the issues mentioned in this paper and identifying the most vulnerability types to try to avoid them. Originality/value – A new comparative study and new classification of vulnerabilities demonstrated with risk analysis using simple scoring technique.

Cloud doctrine: impact on cloud adoption in the government organizations of India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kshitij Kushagra ◽  
Dr Sanjay Dhingra
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Government Procurement ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cloud Adoption ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Policy Refinement ◽  
The Government

Purpose Government is the biggest spender on cloud computing technology but a very limited study and data sets are available to assess the cloud adoption trends in government organizations in India. As India is ushering towards “Digital India” it becomes essential for the government to embrace the cloud to enhance governance and meet the citizen expectations. This paper aims to discuss the evolution of cloud computing (Meghraj) in government organizations by examining the various information technology (IT) and cloud policies, thereby focusing on the policy gaps. The second part of this study assesses the cloud adoption trend by analyzing adopted cloud services, deployments models, leading sectors in cloud adoption and cloud approach. Eventually, in consultation with experts, a conceptual framework for cloud adoption in the government organizations of India is developed for wider cloud adoption. Design/methodology/approach The authors reviewed various IT/cloud policies and related literature to find the policy gaps for slow cloud adoption in government organizations. Authors have researched to collect the data from the various government procurement portals and analysed the tender and contracts of 500 organizations for cloud requirements to infer the cloud adoption trends. Based on the review of policy gaps, adoption trends and by consulting the experts a conceptual cloud adoption framework has been developed for wider cloud adoption in government organizations. Findings This study can be a pathfinder where the most innovative findings are about the cloud adoption trends in the government organizations in the time frame from 2013 till 2020. Several key findings are – the public cloud are the most widely adopted, infrastructure as a service model is the most used services, the majority of the applications migrating to the cloud are legacy applications, the leading sector in cloud adoption are – IT, transport and education. It is observed that the pandemic Covid-19 has acted as a catalyst and accelerated cloud adoption in government organizations. Eventually, a conceptual cloud adoption framework has been suggested addressing the policy gaps, deficiencies, overcoming the gaps and their related outcomes for the wider cloud adoption in the government organizations. Practical implications The findings of this work highlight the cloud adoption trends in government organizations which can prove vital to the policymakers. This work will assist policymakers, government organizations, researchers, IT professionals and others interested in analyzing the state of cloud adoption. The conceptual cloud adoption framework developed endeavours to uncover the policy gaps, suggest the gap resolution mechanism and outcomes which may assist the organization for wider cloud adoption. This research work effectively connects the policies to practice by stimulating the interest in understanding the policies, strategies and thereby creating the enabling environment for cloud adoption. This study provides feedback on cloud adoption trends which can assist in policy refinement and further strengthen policy/strategies. Originality/value As of date, there is limited data available for cloud adoption in government organizations. This work uniquely presents the cloud projections which helps to gain insights on cloud adoption trends in government organizations. This study is the first of its kind, focusing on cloud adoption in the unexplored government sector. This study provides a comprehensive summary of adoption statistics, policy analysis and practice in government organizations of India.

A new trust management framework based on the experience of users in industrial cloud computing using multi-criteria decision making

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liudmila Ivanovna Khoruzhy ◽  
Roman Petrovich Bulyga ◽  
Olga Yuryevna Voronkova ◽  
Lidia Vladimirovna Vasyutkina ◽  
Natalya Ryafikovna Saenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Trust Management ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Industrial Cloud

PurposeNowadays, cloud platforms are used in many fields, including e-commerce, web applications, data storage, healthcare, gaming, mobile social networks, etc. However, security and privacy are still two significant concerns in this area. The target of this paper is to present a system for trust management in industrial cloud computing using the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach. MCDM techniques have been developed to accommodate a wide range of applications. As a result, hundreds of approaches have been generated with even minor variations on current approaches spawning new study fields.Design/methodology/approachCloud computing provides a fully scalable, accessible and flexible computing platform for various applications. Due to the multiple applications that cloud computing has found in numerous life features, users and providers have considered providing security in cloud communications. Due to its distributive nature, dynamic space and lack of transparency in performing cloud computing, it faces many challenges in providing security. For security improvement, trust management can play a very influential role. This paper proposes a generic analytical methodology that uses a series of assessment criteria to evaluate current trust management testing prototypes in industrial cloud computing and related fields. The authors utilize a MCDM approach in the present article. Due to the multi-dimensionality of the sustainability objective and the complexities of socio-economic and biophysical processes, MCDM approaches have become progressively common in decision-making for sustainable energy.FindingsThe results of comparing and evaluating the performance of this model show its ability to manage trust and the ability to adapt to changes in the behavior of service providers quickly. Using a simulation, all results are confirmed. The results of simulations and evaluation of the present paper indicate that the proposed model provides a more accurate evaluation of the credibility of cloud service providers than other models.Practical implicationsThe number of cloud services and customers is vast and extremely competitive in cloud environments, where novel cloud services and customers can join at any time, while others can withdraw whenever they want. Because of cloud services' highly dynamic and dispersed design, trust management mechanisms must be highly flexible to obtain feedback and update trust outcomes as quickly as possible. The model presented in this article tries to improve users' trust in the cloud industry.Originality/valueUsing a method (MCDM) to find the best trust management solution based on user experience in industrial cloud computing is the novelty of this paper.

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