Understanding and Supporting Cloud Computing Adoption in Irish Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Cloud Computing adoption has experienced a considerable rate of growth since its emergence in 2006. In 2011, it had become the top technology priority for organizations worldwide and according to some leading industry reports the cloud computing market is estimated to reach $241 billion by 2020. Reasons for adoption are multi-fold, including for example the expected realisation of benefits pertaining to cost reduction, improved scalability, improved resource utilization, worker mobility and collaboration, and business continuity, among others. Research into the cloud computing adoption phenomenon has to date primarily focused on its impact on the larger, multinational enterprises. However, one key area of the market where cloud computing is expected to hold considerable promise is that of the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME). SMEs are recognized as being inherently different from their larger enterprise counterparts, not least from a resource constraint perspective and for this reason, cloud computing is reported to offer significant benefits for SMEs through, for example, facilitating a reduction of the financial burden associated with new technology adoption. This paper reports findings from a recent study of Cloud Computing adoption among Irish SMEs. Despite its suggested importance, this study found that almost half of the respondents had not migrated any services or processes to the cloud environment. Further, with respect to those who had transitioned to the cloud, the data suggests that many of these SMEs did not rigorously assess their readiness for adopting cloud computing technology or did not adopt in-depth approaches for managing the cloud life cycle. These findings have important implications for the development/improvement of national strategies or policies to support the successful adoption of Cloud Computing technology among the SME market. This paper puts forward recommendations to support the SME cloud adoption journey

Understanding and Supporting Cloud Computing Adoption in Irish Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Cloud Computing adoption has experienced a considerable rate of growth since its emergence in 2006. In 2011, it had become the top technology priority for organizations worldwide and according to some leading industry reports the cloud computing market is estimated to reach $241 billion by 2020. Reasons for adoption are multi‐fold, including for example the expected realisation of benefits pertaining to cost reduction, improved scalability, improved resource utilization, worker mobility and collaboration, and business continuity, among others. Research into the cloud computing adoption phenomenon has to date primarily focused on its impact on the larger, multinational enterprises. However, one key area of the market where cloud computing is expected to hold considerable promise is that of the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME). SMEs are recognized as being inherently different from their larger enterprise counterparts, not least from a resource constraint perspective and for this reason, cloud computing is reported to offer significant benefits for SMEs through, for example, facilitating a reduction of the financial burden associated with new technology adoption. This paper reports findings from a recent study of Cloud Computing adoption among Irish SMEs. Despite its suggested importance, this study found that almost half of the respondents had not migrated any services or processes to the cloud environment. Further, with respect to those who had transitioned to the cloud, the data suggests that many of these SMEs did not rigorously assess their readiness for adopting cloud computing technology or did not adopt in‐depth approaches for managing the cloud lifecycle. These findings have important implications for the development/improvement of national strategies or policies to support the successful adoption of Cloud Computing technology among the SME market. This paper puts forward recommendations to support the SME cloud adoption journey

Enterprise Cloud Adoption - Cloud Maturity Assessment Model

The introduction and use of cloud computing by an organization has the promise of significant benefits that include reduced costs, improved services, and a pay-per-use model. Organizations that successfully harness these benefits will potentially have a distinct competitive edge, due to their increased agility and flexibility to rapidly respond to an ever changing and complex business environment. However, as cloud technology is a relatively new phenomenon, there is still a lot to learn about the adoption and use of cloud, including issues such as security, data protection, interoperability, service maturity, and return on investment. These issues need to be considered,and if possible remediated,toenablean organization to effectivelymanage itscloud adoption journey. This paper describesan assessmentmodelthat was developed by the Innovation Value Institute (IVI) using a multi method, two-phasedapproach. The first phase involveda review of the currentacademic and practitioner literature in the area of cloud.Based on the key insights identified, together with inputs from a workgroup of industry experts anonline cloud adoption assessmentinstrumentwas developed. This assessmentinstrument aimedto provide organizations with a management structure to understand and assess their Enterprise IT capability maturity to evaluate, introduce,and manage cloud services. The second phase employed the principles of design science and open innovation to pilot, test, validate, and refine the cloud adoption assessment in collaboration with industry-based practitioners.As companies continue to grapple with the issues posed by cloud, the cloud adoption assessment willallow an organization to clearly determine their ability to manage:•Cloud security•Compliance•Dataprotection•Cloud service provider(s)•Costs•Impact on business and IT•The interoperability and integration between existing in-houseand cloud-basedservicesBy using the assessmentmodel, the level of maturity will identify areas of strengthand weakness within the organization and serve asthe basis for an improvement roadmap,to ensure the successful adoption andon-going management of cloud

Cloud Computing Adoption: A Cross-Continent Overview of Challenges

Cloud computing continues to dominate information and  communication technology (ICT) strategies globally through the provision of remote access to computing resources via the internet. With its inherent pay-per usage model, flexibility,  scalability and other features, cloud computing is also set to transform economic activities around the world. This paper  analyses and compares the challenges facing the adoption of cloud computing from a geo-regional context; Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. An institutional theory perspective is used as framework for analysis. Findings from Norway in Europe and Nigeria in sub-Saharan Africa show that there are several challenges to cloud computing adoption in both places that are similar but impact on adoption decisions in different ways. For instance, the key adoption issues used as bases for comparison in Norway viz.  security, privacy and trust, cost, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), government policies and regulations, and loss of control over data can all inhibit or pose as hindrances to cloud computing adoption. Contrarily, in Nigeria, these issues are not seen as inhibiting cloud computing adoption. Furthermore, the findings show the profound effect of normative and coercive pressures in Norway that can impact negatively on adoption decisions and theabsence of such pressures in Nigeria which seem to have a  positive influence on adoption at present.Keywords: Cloud Computing; Adoption; Europe; Sub-saharan Africa; Institutional Theor

A Multi Perspective Approach for Understanding the Determinants of Cloud Computing Adoption among Australian SMEs

Cloud computing is proved to be an effective computing technology for organisations through the advantages that it offers such as IT technical agility and scalability, enhancing businesses processes, and increasing enterprises competitiveness. In Australia, there is an emerging trend that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) begin to adopt this technology in the conventional working practices. However, there is a dearth of prior studies on examining the factors that influence the cloud computing adoption among Australian SMEs. To fill the empirical vacuum, this research-in-progress proposes an integrated framework for examining the determinants of cloud computing service adoption with the consideration of the unique characteristics of Australian SMEs, such as relatively low adoption of cloud computing services, less innovative, and limited knowledge about cloud computing and its benefits and hindrances. To this end, we are conducting consecutive studies to investigate this research issue. An exploratory interview study will be applied to observe and verify the characteristics of Australian SMEs toward the cloud computing adoption. This is followed by an organisational level survey that examines the effects of determinants on cloud computing adoption. Finally, a decision model for cloud computing adoption among Australian SMEs will be developed by using a Multi Criteria Decision Approach (MCDA) through rating, prioritising, and ranking of various criteria and alternatives available to the decision makers. Adopting the mixed-method research fashion, this research-in-progress intends to make significant implications to scholars and practitioners alike in the cloud computing research and applications areas

UNDERSTANDING DETERMINANTS OF CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION USING AN INTEGRATED DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION (DOI)-TECHNOLOGICAL, ORGANIZATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL (TOE) MODEL

Purpose of the study: This study aims to investigate the internal and external factors for CC adoption decisions of companies in Izmir, Turkey using a combination of DOI and TOE models. Methodology: This is a confirmatory survey of businesses, forming a questionnaire for 176 IT decision-makers of non-cloud or cloud user businesses in the city of Izmir in Turkey. SmartPLS 3.0 software is used to assess the determinants affecting cloud computing adoption. Main Findings: The study identified relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, and top management support, using security and privacy concerns and cost savings as mediating variables of relative advantage for CC adoption. The survey results indicated that complexity and top management supports are significantly important for efficient CC adoption. The model explained 41.2 percent of CC adoption. Applications of this study: The study is believed to be useful in fields including business development for most sectors, computing, cloud providers as well as researchers on business administration, sales, marketing, and IT infrastructure. Particularly this study and the suggested framework will help companies and businesses adopt CC appropriately. Moreover, as suggested in the study, governments can use such frameworks when encouraging cloud providers to support companies in their decision making and transition periods for CC adoption. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study will undoubtedly contribute to the decision making processes of the companies for CC adoption. Through the integrated in-depth analysis of the factors that affect the adoption decisions in an industrial region of Turkey, the study will also provide valuable data for the researchers and businesses within similar company personas

A model to assess the impacts of cloud computing use on SME performance: a resource-based view

Currently, cloud computing services that are available in the market are very appealing to SMEs. This is because these services are not only up-to-date in terms of ICT but more importantly they are affordable to them. However, the adoption of the cloud computing services presents significant challenges to the SMEs. They need to determine the appropriate path in order to ensure their sustainable presence in the cloud computing environment. Additionally, SMEs have to assess whether cloud services can provide value to their business. Past research has focused on cloud computing adoption by SMEs; the post-adoption and impacts of cloud computing was not thoroughly investigated. Using the Resource-Based theory, this paper discusses a conceptual model developed to assess the impact of cloud computing on SME performance, mediated by cloud computing benefits. The role of environmental turbulence is also included in the model which is postulated to moderate the effect of cloud infrastructure capability on cloud computing benefits. The model contributes towards understanding the impacts of cloud computing on SMEs from the lens of Resource-based View, and practically can guide SME managers in planning their cloud migration initiative

Strategies for Cloud Services Adoption in Saudi Arabia

The adoption rate of cloud computing is low among business organizations in Saudi Arabia, despite the cost-saving benefits of using cloud services. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that information technology (IT) leaders in the manufacturing industry in Saudi Arabia used to adopt cloud computing to reduce IT costs. The target population of this study consisted of 5 IT leaders from 5 different manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia who successfully adopted cloud computing in their companies to reduce IT costs. Rogers\u27s diffusion of innovation theory was the conceptual framework for this research. Data collected from face-to-face, semistructured interviews and a review of relevant corporate documentation were analyzed using Yin\u27s 5-step data analysis method, which included compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding the data. Five themes emerged from the data analysis: identify business needs and requirements, apply value realization metrics, plan for migration, choose the right cloud service provider, and provide adequate training and awareness sessions. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to improve the local economy in Saudi Arabia by ensuring the sustainability of firms in the manufacturing industry through the implementation of cost-saving strategies associated with cloud computing adoption