A research on cloud computing adoption practices in the context of online business SMEs in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the Cloud computing Practicing level, Cloud computing Satisfaction level and the Preferred Cloud service provider among the Online Business SMEs (OBSMEs) in Sri Lanka that have adopted Cloud services. Prior studies have shown that SMEs significantly benefit due to the adoption of Cloud computing services. The study was conducted among 260 randomly selected OBSMEs using self-administered questionnaires from managerial and ICT professionals who were capable of making ICT decision at OBSMEs under this study. However only 247 questionnaires were returned with complete data required for the purpose of analysis. A descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings have revealed that 31% of the OBSMEs are frequently Practicing Cloud computing for their ICT needs, while 69% of them relies on Cloud computing for their different ICT needs usually. Findings reveals that 35% of the OBSMEs are moderately Satisfied in this study, while 61% of OBSMEs have been reported that they are very Satisfied with Cloud computing services, at the same time 4% of the OBSMEs are reported that they have extremely Satisfied with Cloud computing services. In the context of OBSMEs it has been reported that 78% of the Cloud service providers are rendering reliability of services and OBSMEs are very satisfied, while 12% of the OBSMEs are moderately satisfied with the reliability of services and other 10% of the OBSMEs are extremely satisfied with the reliability of services provided by Cloud Service Providers in Sri Lanka. This study extends the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical support for explaining cloud computing adoption by OBSME in Sri Lanka. The study add value for various parties engaging in promoting the adoption of cloud computing among various business industries in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the researchers are able to recommend that cloud computing technology is playing a significant role for the improvement of business industries in Sri Lanka and the software vendors, policy makers and technological service providers should consider the findings of this study if they have intention to adopt this technology in future. Moreover, the findings of this research would assist and enhance service providers to consider their investment in information technology when adopting and implementing Cloud computing in Sri Lanka.