A framework to support cloud adoption decision-making by SMEs in Tamil Nadu

Cloud computing is a disruptive technology which represents a paradigm shift in the way computing services are purchased and maintained within organisations. Due to its benefits like low capital, scalability and high reliability, the cloud infrastructure has the features and facilities to speed up Information Technology (IT) adoption in developing countries. However, moving data and applications to a cloud environment is not straightforward and can be very challenging as decision makers need to consider numerous technical and organisational aspects before deciding to adopt cloud infrastructure. There are existing models and framework available to support different stages of the cloud adoption decision making process. However, they are developed for technologically developed countries and there has been very little investigation done to determine whether the factors that affect cloud adoption are any different for a technologically developing country like India. This research aims to provide a framework to aid cloud adoption among SMEs in Tamil Nadu, a southern state of the Indian Union. The major contribution to knowledge is the framework, based on Scientific Decision Making (SDM) which has been developed to support SME decision makers at all the different stages of the cloud adoption decision making process. The theories of technology adoption like Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), Technology, Organisation and Environment (TOE) framework along with Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) forms the theoretical underpinnings of the research. The primary data was collected via two web-based questionnaire surveys among SME decision makers from Tamil Nadu. Six determinants of cloud adoption such relative advantage, compatibility, innovativeness, organisation size, external issues and industry type were identified. The findings identify that 12 organisational factor specific to SME location is a very important decision factor while planning cloud adoption. The proposed cloud adoption decision support framework (CADSF) includes two tools namely; cloud suitability assessment and cloud service identification. The framework provides a preliminary structure for developing a knowledge driven Decision Support System (DSS) to support cloud adoption among SMEs in Tamil Nadu. Finally, based on the findings of the research, it is expected with developments to the existing cloud infrastructure, especially the availability of reliable internet and increased awareness, more SMEs in Tamil Nadu would adopt the cloud computing infrastructure.