Adoption of cloud computing by small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries : the South African context
Date
2018
Authors
Hlatshwayo, Prince Nkosiyomusa
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
SMEs and businesses in developing economies, through research, have shown
a lack in the adoption of technologies that has benefit for them. Cloud computing
is one of such technologies that has the potential of levelling the playing fields for
these SMEs and businesses, enabling them to compete with big, global
businesses. The adoption of cloud computing, by SMEs in developing
economies, has not shown great traction. Why is this, especially, in the South
African context? Cost, awareness, connectivity, security and other factors have
been summarised as causes for the lack of cloud computing adoption in
developing economies but there is a lack of research around why the lack of cloud
adoption is, in the South African landscape. This paper focuses on the cloudcomputing
topic with specific focus to the developing economy of South Africa,
the unique challenges that this economy and its SMEs face and the potential
reason why adoption is lacking within this context. This study expands further on
why there is a lack of adoption of cloud services in developing economies by
showing that security in the main consideration, at present, that leads on why the
adoption of cloud services lacks. SME are in the know around what cloud services
are about (awareness), they make provision for ICT services from an expenditure
perspective and are of the view that broadband connectivity has somewhat come
down though more can still be done. Security came out as the major concern that
is contributing to the lack of adoption of cloud.
This research gives a potential, cloud computing, South African SME a view of
what other SMEs consider as the benefits of cloud computing to their business
and what these prospective SMEs can do, and need to mindful of, in infusing
cloud computing as part of their business. The study continues to show cloud
computing considerations that are still top of mind to most SMEs and how to plan
for these in adopting cloud services.
Description
MBA Thesis
Keywords
Cloud computing, security, small and medium enterprises (SME), awareness