A framework for cloud computing adoption by Saudi Government overseas agencies

This study aims to identify key factors that organizations should consider when deciding whether to adopt cloud computing, and sets out a framework for how these factors can be weighed in order to make a decision. The study uses the Saudi Government agencies as a case study and makes several specific recommendations that pertain to the Saudi authorities' implementation of cloud computing. Although there are many benefits associated with deployment of cloud computing applications, there are also several challenges, such as compliance, legal issues, hosting issues, security, trust and privacy. There are also inadequate resources and guidelines for the policy makers and managers to inform their decision of whether or not to adopt cloud computing. This study identifies a number of factors; technological, environmental, organizational and societal, which need to be considered when an organization decides whether or not to adopt cloud computing. After identifying these factors, the study develops a comprehensive framework for organizations to assess their readiness for cloud computing. In addition, the feasibility of cloud computing applications is assessed so that different delivery and deployment models can be taken into account, and cloud computing evaluated from both business and customer perspectives

A systematic review of cloud computing adoption by organisations

© 2021 The Authors. Published by Science Publishing Group. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijimseCloud computing represents a paradigm shift in information technology outsourcing. The technology renders numerous benefits such as flexibility, cost reduction and scalability. Also, it presents organisations with the opportunity to conform to environmental management system. Several studies have applied different theories to investigate the factors that affect cloud computing adoption by organisations. However, the results are inconclusive. Therefore, this study systematically reviews factors influencing adoption the adoption of cloud computing by organisations. A total of 174 papers were reviewed from different databases such as Science direct, Emerald and IEEE Xplore. Consequently, 37 of these articles have been considered to come up with the most salient factors based on their frequency. The findings indicated that technology readiness, top management support, relative advantage, competitive pressure, compatibility, complexity and data security are the significant factors that affect cloud computing adoption in organisations. This review consolidates literature and can benefit decision makers in organisations who intend to adopt cloud computing technology. Furthermore, it has laid a foundation for a future part of this work which is conceptualising a model for cloud computing adoption in the upstream oil and gas sector.Nigerian petroleum technology development fund (PTDF

The Digital Silk Road and Chinas Influence on Standard Setting

China is striving to become a leader in international standard setting, and the Digital Silk Road, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative to expand its global infrastructure and markets, is key to realizing this goal. Both roads depend on standard connectivity, fuelled by Chinese private companies that are the driving force behind China's growing role as a leader in technology development and shaping standards in both domestic and global markets. However, China faces strong competition to gain more influence in international standard-setting bodies, which are dominated by the European Union and the United States

Predictive variables for agile development merging cloud computing services

Cloud Technology is a most challenging modern area in the field of modern technologies in whichassets(e.g.,CPUandcapacity)canberentedanddischargedbytheclientsthroughinterneton-demand basis. The cloud computing has been giving virtual computing services to a little, medium and extensive industries, and services, for example, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and softwareasaservice(SaaS).Cloudcomputinghasagreatcombinationwiththeagilesoftwaredevelopment as a research area. Many researchers worked in Agile Cloud field. The software industries are using the agile methodology for efficient software development need some platform to get quick feedback from the client. Therefore, the agile-cloud is a great combination for it but due to security reasons that directly influence the less adoption of cloud in software industries. This paper reports the survey results of software industries. The total of seven IT industries and many professionals was involved in this paper. However, this paper also contributes and reveals how existing issues can affect agile-cloud adoption for efficient software development. Furthermore, we do not find any type of survey conducted in Pakistan’s software industries-related to cloud-agile adoption

Green IT Model for Gulf Cooperation Council Organisations

This research aims to develop a Green IT model that suits the needs of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. A mix-methods approach that combines interviews with a survey was implemented to assess the model critically. The initial model developed for evaluating various Green models to assess the Governance, Social and Cultural, Information Technology and Green Management in GCC. The Green IT model aims to raise sustainability awareness in GCC countries based on their visions

Holistic Approach Framework for Cloud Computing Strategic Decision-Making in the Healthcare Sector (HAF-CCS)

Cloud Computing is an evolving information technology paradigm that impacts many sectors in many countries. Cloud Computing offers IT services anytime, anywhere via any device and is applicable to healthcare organisations, offering a potential cost saving of 15% to 37%. This research investigates Cloud Computing as a facilitating technology to solve some of the challenges experienced by healthcare organisations such as the high cost of implementing IT solutions. The purpose of this research is to develop and apply an Holistic Approach Framework for Cloud Computing Strategic Decision-Making in the Healthcare Sector (HAF-CCS) to provide a systematic approach to the adoption of Cloud Computing that considers different perspectives. Although, Cloud Computing is becoming widely used, there is limited evidence in the literature concerning its application in the Saudi healthcare sector. In the thesis, current cloud adoption decision-making frameworks are analysed and the need to develop a strategic framework for Cloud Computing decision-making processes which emphasises a multidisciplinary holistic approach is identified. Understanding the different strategic aspects of Cloud Computing is important and could encourage organisations to adopt this model of computing since the decision regarding whether to adopt Cloud Computing is potentially a complex process; there are many perspectives to be considered, and studying this process requires a multiple perspective framework. The framework developed in this thesis aims to support decision-makers in healthcare organisations by covering five perspectives of Cloud Computing adoption: Organisation, Technology, Environment, Human and Business. The framework integrates the TOE (Technology-Organisation-Environment) framework with the Information Systems Strategy Triangle (IS Triangle) and the HOT-fit (Human- Organisation-Technology) model to support an holistic evaluation of the determinants of Cloud Computing adoption in healthcare organisations. The factors that will affect Cloud Computing adoption in healthcare organisations in Saudi Arabia have been identified using quantitative and qualitative methods, and a case study approach was implemented to validate the framework. The results of the validation showed that the framework can support decision-makers in understanding an organisation’s position regarding Cloud Computing and identifying any gaps that may hinder Cloud Computing adoption. The framework can also provide healthcare organisations with a strategic assessment tool to help in gaining the advantages of Cloud Computing

Factors influencing cloud computing adoption in Yemen higher education institutions

Cloud-based technology, which is now well established, helps reducing costs and providing accessibility, reliability and flexibility. However, the Yemen Higher educational system has not yet embraced cloud computing due to security and privacy concerns, lack of trust, negative cultural attitudes (i.e. tribalism), and most importantly, little digital devices experience in educational settings as well as lack of knowledge and technical know-how. Thus, this study proposes a conceptual model of cloud computing (CC) adoption in Yemen HEIs by investigating the influence of Technology, Organization and Environment (TOE) factors. In addition, this study investigates the moderating effect of tribalism culture in the relationships between the identified factors and CC adoption. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A preliminary study through semi-structured interviews with ten (10) participants from top management of HEIs to refine and confirm the proposed model. The quantitative approach was used to determine the factors that influence CC adoption in Yemen HEIs through a questionnaire survey. Data were collected from 328 respondents in 38 HEIs and analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results showed that relative advantage, reliability, compatibility, security, technology readiness, top management support, regulatory policy and competitive pressure have a positive significant impact on CC adoption. However, tribalism culture has a negative significant impact towards CC adoption. The study also found that tribalism culture moderates the relationship between compatibility, reliability, security, relative advantage, regulatory policy and CC adoption. This study contributes to TOE model adoption by including the cultural factor as a moderator towards CC adoption in Yemen HEIs. The study also provides a model and insights for HEIs, technology consultants, vendors and policy makers in better understanding of the factors that influence CC adoption in least developed countries (LDCs), specifically, Yemen

Technology and Labor Trafficking: in a Network Society - General Overview, Emerging Innovations, and Phillippines Case Study

New information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become an integral part of the networks that underpin labor trafficking in the 21st Century. Yet little research exists on the impact of technology in exacerbating or addressing the isolation, fraud, force, and/or coercion so often at the heart of trafficking cases. There is a lack of evidence-based research on any relationship between technology and labor trafficking either within or across national borders. To effectively intervene in labor trafficking, the impact of technology needs to be addressed by policy makers, governments, NGOs, researchers, and the private sector.This research report is the first to investigate the relationship between technology and labor trafficking. The evidence gathered and analyzed in this report is based on public documents, websites, interviews with key stakeholders in the US and internationally, and fieldwork in the Philippines. With little previous research on the topic, this study is inherently exploratory. Thus this report's primary goal is to frame technology's impact on labor trafficking and to establish a set of definitions, theories, terms, themes, recommendations, and principles that can guide future research and policy

Information Security Risk Management (ISRM) Model for Saudi Arabian Organisations

This research aimed to investigate the factors influencing information security risk management (ISRM) and develop an ISRM model for large Saudi Arabian organisations. The study employed an exploratory research method following a top-down design approach. The research was conducted in two sequential phases: an interview and a focus group discussion. The research identified 14 factors grouped into the people, process, and technology that influence ISRM in large Saudi Arabian organisations. The proposed model can successfully guide large Saudi Arabian organisations to implement ISRM standards more effectively

Adoption of cloud computing technology for exploration, drilling and production activities: Nigerian upstream oil and gas industry

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.The upstream oil and gas industry, which identifies and produces oil and gas, is essential for the generation of energy. This sector has a fragmented pattern of activities and uses real-time information and accurate results for faster and more accurate decision making. Cloud computing offers information technology (IT) services via the internet and the technology offers several benefits such as flexibility, scalability, cost reduction, real-time information, monitoring, collaboration and timely interpretation of exploration and production data. However, the cloud has not yet penetrated the upstream oil and gas sector. Generally, the adoption of cloud computing in the oil and gas industry is less discussed in academia, let alone the upstream oil and gas sector. This research aims to study the adoption of cloud computing in the upstream oil and gas industry, particularly in Nigeria, which is an emerging economy. The decision to adopt cloud computing for exploration, drilling and production is a complex process. A major outcome of the research is the development of a model consisting of factors influencing decision to adopt cloud technology in the upstream oil and gas sector. In addition, the study develops a prototype decision support system (DSS) based on analytical hierarchy process (AHP) which enables decision makers to select an appropriate cloud service model. The developed prototype DSS is described in appendix A. This research adopted a mixed method approach comprising of semi-structured interview which was used to collect qualitative data using NVivo 11 software, and a questionnaire survey which was used to collect quantitative data which was analysed using the Analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS) based structural equation modelling technique. The findings of this research confirmed the significant factors for cloud computing adoption for exploration, drilling and production activities. This research has both theoretical and practical implications which reinforce the need for cloud technology adoption in the upstream oil and gas sector. In addition, using the research findings to develop a prototype Decision Support System (DSS) is innovative and would be useful to the Nigerian government, cloud service providers and the upstream oil and gas sector. Finally, the study makes recommendations for upstream O&G based on the findings of the study.Nigerian Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)