CONCEPTUALIZING A MODEL FOR CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION BY SMEs

Cloud computing is recognized as an emerging paradigm in today’s business environment. Nevertheless, it is not completely a new technology, it is widespread due to the fast development of the internet, mobile phones, higher bandwidth and increasing mobility requirements of the clients. In spite of the fact that the adoption of cloud computing services is proliferating in large companies, SMEs still reluctant to employ cloud computing services due to their lack of knowledge and a clear guideline in this area. This study intends to address this SMEs problem in adopting the cloud computing technology and highlight the potential of cloud computing technology for SMEs in today's competitive market. In this regard, various dimensions of this technology are emphasized and the serious challenges that are hindering the adoption of cloud computing in SMEs are highlighted in this research. Despite the existing concerns in adopting cloud computing in SMEs, its commercial viability and the easy pay-as-you-go cost system, especially in the existing economic complexities are discussed in details. To evaluate the determinants of cloud computing adoption in SMEs, a research model is developed according to the technology-organizationenvironment (TOE) framework and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory.