Managing the outsourcing of information security processes: the 'cloud' solution

Information security processes and systems are relevant for any organization and involve medium-to-high investment; however, the current economic downturn is causing a dramatic reduction in spending on Information Technology (IT). Cloud computing (i.e., externalization of one or more IT services) might be a solution for organizations keen to maintain a good level of security. In this paper we discuss whether cloud computing is a valid alternative to in-house security processes and systems drawing on four mini-case studies of higher education institutions in New England, US. Our findings show that the organization’s IT spending capacity affects the choice to move to the cloud; however, the perceived security of the cloud and the perceived in-house capacity to provide high quality IT (and security) services moderate this relationship. Moreover, other variables such as (low) quality of technical support, relatively incomplete contracts, poor defined Service License Agreements (SLA), and ambiguities over data ownership affect the choice to outsource IT (and security) using the cloud. We suggest that, while cloud computing could be a useful means of IT outsourcing, there needs to be a number of changes and improvements to how the service is currently delivered

A Study of Personal Cloud Computing: Compatibility, Social Influence, and Moderating Role of Perceived Familiarity

Building on a research framework based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Innovation Diffusion Technology (IDT), and the Technology Adoption Model (TAM), we propose a model integrating compatibility, social influence, and perceived familiarity given the implicit uncertainty of personal cloud. Our model emphasizes the moderating effect of perceived familiarity on the relationships between both perceived compatibility and social influence on behavioral intention. PLS-based structural equation modeling is employed to test the related propositions empirically. Results from a survey, involving 265 university students, reveal that perceived compatibility explains a larger proportion of the variance in behavioral intention; perceived familiarity plays a significant role in moderating the impact of perceived compatibility and social influence on intention to adopt personal cloud. Managerial and theoretical implications are discussed

Acceptance model of SaaS cloud computing at northern Malaysian main campus public universities

Technology advancement has side effects, although it has moved in a fast pace that facilitated life and increased business revenue. To cope with negative aspects while looking for friendly technology, Software as a Service (SaaS) Cloud Computing emerged to preserve natural resources, effectively utilize computing and power consumption, while achieving performance, decreasing cost, and increasing revenue. Yet, there are paucity in empirical studies investigating salient factors affecting the usage, acceptance, or adoption of SaaS services from the individual perspectives specifically in higher education sector. The main objective of this study is to investigate the salient factors with proper model that includes technical, social and control characteristics, as well as user security predisposition. Besides, educational level has also proven to be influential in adopting innovations. Hence, probing its role is another objective. The last objective is to investigate differences between student and lecturer groups in the relationships postulated in the model. A survey with questionnaires was conducted on students and lecturers in four public universities in Northern Malaysia. The scope of the acceptance is to investigate the personal-level use of SaaS services. Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (DTPB) and Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) were applied. Results revealed appropriateness of the model although the role of Trialability and Subjective Norms were not significance. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge and literature in highlighting the role of these factors that SaaS providers could benefit in planning for new services and in promoting SaaS usage to universities

We have a platform, but nobody builds on it – what influences Platform-as-a-Service post-adoption?

When higher-level management of a company has strategically decided to adopt Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) as a Cloud Computing (CC) delivery model, decision-makers at lower hierarchy levels still need to decide whether they want to post-adopt PaaS for building or running an information system (IS) – a decision that numerous companies are currently facing. This research analyzes the influential factors of this managerial post-adoption decision on the IS-level. A survey of 168 business and IT professionals investigated the influential factors of this PaaS post-adoption decision. The results show that decision-makers’ perceptions of risks inhibit post-adoption. Vendor trust and trialability reduce these perceived risks. While competitive pressure increases perceived benefits, it does not significantly influence PaaS post-adoption. Controversially, security and privacy, cost savings, and top management support do not influence post-adoption, as opposed to findings on company-level adoption. Subsamples constructed by the form of post-adoptive use (migration of IS, enhancement of IS, new IS development) exhibit better goodness-of-fit measures than the full sample. Future research should explore this interrelation of the form of post-adoptive use and the post-adoption influence factors

Innovation attributes and managers' decisions about the adoption of innovations in organizations: A meta-analytical review

The adop­tion of in­no­va­tions has emerged as a dom­i­nant re­search topic in the man­age­ment of in­no­va­tion in or­ga­ni­za­tions, al­though in­ves­ti­ga­tions of­ten yield mixed re­sults. To help man­agers and re­searchers im­prove their ef­fec­tive­ness, the au­thors em­ployed a meta-analy­sis in­te­grated with struc­tural equa­tion mod­el­ing to an­a­lyze the as­so­ci­a­tions be­tween the at­trib­utes of in­no­va­tions, man­agers' be­hav­ioral pref­er­ences, and or­ga­ni­za­tions' in­no­va­tion adop­tion de­ci­sions in a me­di­ated-mod­er­ated frame­work. Our find­ings of­fer ev­i­dence that at­trib­utes of in­no­va­tions in­flu­ence man­agers' be­hav­ioral pref­er­ences and, con­se­quently, adop­tion de­ci­sions in or­ga­ni­za­tions. We also ob­serve the sig­nif­i­cance of the con­text in which the adop­tion de­ci­sion oc­curs as well as the re­search set­tings em­ployed by schol­ars. Fi­nally, we dis­cuss the the­o­ret­i­cal con­tri­bu­tion and prac­ti­cal im­pli­ca­tions of our meta-an­a­lyt­i­cal re­sults

Assessing factors of behavioral intention to use Big Data Analytics (BDA) in banking and insurance sector: proposition of an integrated model

Banking and insurance sectors have long been largely data-driven by nature. However, with the rise in the predominance of data flooding from several sources resulting from the introduction of new customers and markets, with the help of Big Data Analytics, value can be extracted more effectively, and analysis of this type of unstructured data combined with a wide range of datasets can be used to efficiently and precisely extract commercial value. The aim of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework to explain the intention of information technology practitioners in banks and insurance companies to use Big Data Analytics by exploiting the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) joined by the Task-Technology-Fit paradigm, information quality, security, trust, and the moderating effect of managerial commitment by top management on the relationship between users’ perception and their intention to use, in order to conceptualize and test an integrated framework for analyzing and measuring attitudes toward the usage of Big Data Analytics. This paper contributes by proposing the model to assess the factors that influence users’ intention towards the use of Big Data Analytics, by asserting users’ perception towards the technology, trust factor, security and the effect of managerial commitment. Although the model we developed in this paper is conceptual and still needs to be tested empirically, it will serve as a basic framework for further research that is designed to evaluate factors affecting IT practitioners’ attitudes towards the adoption of Big Data Analytics within the finance sector.   Keywords: Big Data Analytics, TAM, TTF, Security, Trust, Managerial commitment, Bank, Insurance  JEL Classification: O32 Paper type: Theoretical ResearchLes secteurs de la banque et de l'assurance sont depuis longtemps largement axés sur les données par nature. Cependant, avec l'augmentation de la prédominance de l'inondation de données provenant de plusieurs sources résultant de l'introduction de nouveaux clients et marchés, avec l'aide du Big Data Analytics, la valeur peut être obtenue plus efficacement, et l'analyse de ce type de données non structurées combinées à un large éventail d'ensembles de données peut être utilisée pour extraire efficacement et précisément la valeur commerciale. L'objectif de cet article est de développer un cadre conceptuel pour expliquer l'intention des praticiens des technologies de l'information dans les banques et les compagnies d'assurance d'utiliser le Big Data Analytics en exploitant le Modèle d'Acceptation de la Technologie (TAM) associé au paradigme Adéquation Tache-Technologie, la qualité de l'information, la sécurité, la confiance et l'effet modérateur de l'engagement du management sur la relation entre la perception des utilisateurs et leur intention d'utilisation, afin de conceptualiser et de tester un cadre intégré pour analyser et mesurer les attitudes envers l'utilisation du Big Data Analytics. Cet article contribue en proposant un modèle pour évaluer les facteurs qui influencent l'intention des utilisateurs vers l'utilisation du Big Data Analytics, en affirmant la perception des utilisateurs envers la technologie, le facteur de confiance, la sécurité et l'effet de l'engagement managérial. Bien que le modèle que nous avons développé dans cet article soit conceptuel et nécessite encore d'être testé empiriquement, il servira de cadre de base pour des recherches ultérieures conçues pour évaluer les facteurs affectant les attitudes des informaticiens envers l'adoption du Big Data Analytics dans le secteur financier.   Keywords: Big Data Analytics, TAM, TTF, Security, Trust, Managerial commitment, Bank, Insurance  JEL Classification: O32 Paper type: Theoretical Researc

Understanding the Adoption of Smart Community Services: Perceived Usefulness, Enjoyment, and Affective Community Commitment

Smart community is an emerging form of community that provides various convenient services (smart community services (SCS)) through smart community platform to community residents. However, in practice, residents have limited SCS acceptance, which deserves to be further investigated in the literature. This study investigates the SCS adoption of residents by integrating technological belief factors (perceived usefulness and enjoyment), and social influence factor (affective community commitment). A survey of 191 residents identifies perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and affective community commitment as important determinants of SCS adoption. Affective community commitment weakens the effect of perceived enjoyment yet strengthen the effect of perceived usefulness on SCS adoption. Our study fills the research gap on smart community as well as enriches the IT acceptance literature. This study also offers practical recommendations that can aid practitioners in conducting smart community programs

The moderating influence of device characteristics and usage on user acceptance of Smart Mobile Devices

This study seeks to develop a comprehensive model of consumer acceptance in the context of Smart Mobile Device (SMDs). This paper proposes an adaptation of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model that can be employed to explain and predict the acceptance of SMDs. Also included in the model are a number of external and new moderating variables that can be used to explain user intentions and subsequent usage behaviour. The model holds that Activity-based Usage and Device Characteristics are posited to moderate the impact of the constructs empirically validated in the UTAUT2 model. Through an important cluster of antecedents the proposed model aims to enhance our understanding of consumer motivations for using SMDs and aid efforts to promote the adoption and diffusion of these devices.<br /

Antecedents of Cloud Computing Adoption in the Malaysian context: A Systematic Literature Review

In a competitive marketplace, the competitiveness and survival of any corporation are often attributed to its ability to adopt innovative technology which bestows a competitive edge and reduced costs, improves the quality and the efficiency of its business processes. Cloud computing is a platform for the development of computational solutions for multiple fields of knowledge, as it offers cost-saving mechanisms and increased efficiency to organisations. Despite its maturity and enhancement, reviews pertaining to antecedents of cloud computing adoption in the Malaysian context are scarce. Thus, a systematic literature review using Scopus database for retrieving the related articles was carried out to shed light on the antecedents of cloud computing adoption in the Malaysian context. The review revealed that the antecedents influencing cloud computing adoption include technological context elements (relative advantages, technological readiness, cost-saving, and compatibility), organisational context elements (top management support), and environmental context elements (competitive pressure, external support/trading partner support/regulatory support, vendor reputation and trust). Understanding the antecedents of cloud computing adoption is crucial towards strengthening cloud computing adoption and, in turn, will improve the performance and competitiveness of corporate sectors. &nbsp

Post-pandemic intention of the tourism and hospitality (t&h) industry employees towards the use of information technology

Purpose - The extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991) is used in this research to understand the post-pandemic behavioral intentions of tourism and hospitality employees in relation to their use of information technology. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected using an online survey, and 449 responses were considered to meet the selection criteria. Structural equation model (SEM) is used to empirically test the proposed research model. Findings - The results of SEM show that all the variables of TPB (attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control) along with trust are positively associated with the behavioral intention of employees in T&H industry towards the use of information technology and the model has better predictive power. Originality/value- This study provided deep insights and outstanding contributions to the theoretical framework and proposed a model for post-pandemic employee behavioral intention regarding the use of IT. This study explores the factors that influence T&H employees’ postpandemic behavioral intentions regarding information technology use. It also explores and integrates the various benefits of information technology to T&H industry employees and provides insight to hotel employees, travel agents, tour operators, and other stakeholder