A Decision Framework for Cloud Service Selection for SMEs: AHP Analysis

[[abstract]]The purpose of this paper is to study how advances in cloud computing impact the processes of creating and running businesses over the tourism sector for small and medium-sized enterprises in Taiwan, and to identify the main factors that relate to the adoption of CRM cloud systems by SMEs. This study adopts two steps to build the structure of decision model with the analytic hierarchy process method. The findings confirm that factors affecting the adoption of Cloud CRM service in SMEs are grouped into four categories, which is financial benefits, marketing benefits, management factors, and environment factors. This study hopes to enhance the quality of the evaluation process, and help support SME decision makers in exploring their opportunities surrounding Cloud services adoption.[[notice]]補正完畢[[journaltype]]國外[[ispeerreviewed]]Y[[booktype]]紙本[[countrycodes]]US

THE USE AND CHALLENGES OF CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES ADOPTION AMONG SMES IN NIGERIA

This paper considers the factors militating against the ready adoption of cloud services by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The paper recognizes that the major challenges affecting the adoption of cloud services in Nigeria include infrastructural issues such as lack of adequate and affordable Internet network facilities and unstable power supply. Other factors include lack of proper awareness of the benefits of cloud services, high cost of bandwidth, and high cost of supporting cloud services among others. To mitigate these problems it is suggested that private organizations should make more investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Nigeria and government on its part should create the enabling environment for this to be achieved. Private and public institutions alike should increase effort to encourage SMEs to understand the benefits of adopting cloud services to their bottom-line. Other ways the adoption of cloud services can be improved include the establishment of more focused research in the area of cloud computing; private organizations and possibly government can sponsor such researches. Furthermore, regulation including enforcement of data protection laws and all other intellectual property rights protection regime should be adequately enforced. If all these challenges are resolved cloud computing has the potential to be the next big thing in Nigeria and revolutionize the profitability of SMEs

THE USE AND CHALLENGES OF CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES ADOPTION AMONG SMES IN NIGERIA

This paper considers the factors militating against the ready adoption of cloud services by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The paper recognizes that the major challenges affecting the adoption of cloud services in Nigeria include infrastructural issues such as lack of adequate and affordable Internet network facilities and unstable power supply. Other factors include lack of proper awareness of the benefits of cloud services, high cost of bandwidth, and high cost of supporting cloud services among others. To mitigate these problems it is suggested that private organizations should make more investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Nigeria and government on its part should create the enabling environment for this to be achieved. Private and public institutions alike should increase effort to encourage SMEs to understand the benefits of adopting cloud services to their bottom-line. Other ways the adoption of cloud services can be improved include the establishment of more focused research in the area of cloud computing; private organizations and possibly government can sponsor such researches. Furthermore, regulation including enforcement of data protection laws and all other intellectual property rights protection regime should be adequately enforced. If all these challenges are resolved cloud computing has the potential to be the next big thing in Nigeria and revolutionize the profitability of SMEs

INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION IN NIGERIA

Cloud computing is a viable alternative for meeting the technological needs of many  enterprises with the benefits of instantaneous computing resource fulfillment, technology expenditures at lower costs, common technology platforms that can facilitate standardization and decreased  need for internal technology support personnel. This paper examined the behavioral intention to adopt cloud computing services in large and small organization using an Enhanced Technology Acceptance Model (ETAM). The aim is to investigate the factors affecting cloud computing adoption in Nigeria. The model includes variables that other research has found related to adoption of new computing services and technologies. Regression Analysis was then deployed to test the research hypotheses. The result of regression analysis revealed that attitude and adopters ability to use cloud computing (self-efficacy) were better predictor of intention; perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of cloud computing were better predictor of attitude; perceived ease of use and the relevant of cloud computing to adopters’ work (job relevance) were the predictor of perceived usefulness.

Developing a decision model for CRM cloud technology in Taiwan SME sector

[[abstract]]The purpose of this paper is to study how advances in cloud computing impact the processes of creating and running businesses over the Internet for small and medium-sized enterprises in Taiwan, and to identify the main factors that relate to the adoption of CRM cloud systems by SMEs. The cloud technology significantly affects the agencies and their marketing strategy. It helps them provide a more informed services, whiles at the same time empower travelers’ direct contact with the suppliers. Therefore, travel agency is quite suitable for study the decision of CRM Cloud service. The research reported here is evaluation of CRM Cloud technologies by Taiwan’s SMEs in the tourism sector. This study adopts two steps to build the structure of decision model with the analytic hierarchy process method. In addition to identify the factors influencing the decision to adopt itCloud technology, this study reviews the current state of the Cloud technology, discusses the new business model it associated as an enterprise strategy for SMEs, and suggests a conceptual framework for travel agencies to use the Cloud CRM service in practice. The findings confirm that factors affecting the adoption of Cloud CRM service in SMEs are grouped into four categories, which is financial benefits, marketing benefits, management factors, and environment factors. This study hopes to enhance the quality of the evaluation process, and help support SME decision makers in exploring their opportunities surrounding Cloud services adoption.[[conferencetype]]國際[[conferencedate]]20130422~20130425[[booktype]]電子版[[iscallforpapers]]Y[[conferencelocation]]Florence, Ital

Adoption of cloud services in central banks : hindering factors and the recommendations for way forward

Current research on cloud computing often focuses on the technology itself and the benefits that one company can use and choose from cloud services. Most of the research has focused on mainstream enterprises and limited regard to Central Banks' (CBs') Cloud Computing Adoption (CCA). CBs are continually exploring opportunities to enhance IT efficacy while minimizing expenditures and ensuring data protection and network security. This paper investigates the factors affecting the CBs' CCA by surveying 40 CBs representing approximately 25% of total CBs worldwide. The main participants were senior IT managers who are responsible for any IT decisions in CBs. The findings are also significant for other organizations or businesses where data privacy is crucial. The study results indicate that CBs are still reluctant to migrate to the public cloud. Influential factors preventing CCA are data protection, privacy, and risks.peer-reviewe

Challenges of cloud technology in manufacturing environment

The rapid growth Information systems and advanced network technologies have significant impact on enterprises around the world. Enterprises are trying to gain competitive advantage in open global markets by using the latest technologies, along with advanced networks, to create collaboration, reduce costs, and maximize productivity. The combination of latest technologies and advanced manufacturing networks technologies lead to growth of new manufacturing model named Cloud Manufacturing which can shift the manufacturing industry from product-oriented manufacturing to services-oriented manufacturing. This paper explores the literature about the current Manufacturing problems, understands the concept of Cloud Computing Technology, introduces Cloud Manufacturing and its role in the enterprise, and investigates the obstacles and challenges of adopting Cloud Manufacturing in enterprises

A framework for the successful implementation of food traceability systems in China

Implementation of food traceability systems in China faces many challenges due to the scale, diversity and complexity of China’s food supply chains. This study aims to identify critical success factors specific to the implementation of traceability systems in China. Twenty-seven critical success factors were identified in the literature. Interviews with managers at four food enterprises in a pre-study helped identify success criteria and five additional critical success factors. These critical success factors were tested through a survey of managers in eighty-three food companies. This study identifies six dimensions for critical success factors: laws, regulations and standards; government support; consumer knowledge and support; effective management and communication; top management and vendor support; and information and system quality