Factors Influencing SMEs’ Adoption of Cloud Computing Services in Lebanon: An Empirical Analysis Using TOE and Contextual Theory

Abstract

An increasingly important advancement in information and communication technologies is cloud computing, and a remarkably increasing trend is its adoption by various organizations. The trend is attributed to the potential of this growing computing paradigm to improve the scalability, efficiency, and reliability of IT systems. Diffusion of cloud computing innovation is changing the way business information systems are developed, paid for, and maintained Alshamaila et al. 2013, Low et al. 2011, thus contributing to efficiency and better value for enterprises. This not only applies to large organizations, but also progressively more to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, little is known about the factors most likely to be associated to the adoption behavior of cloud computing services among small and medium enterprises operating in Lebanon. This study deploys the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and the Contextual Theory to empirically examine the determinants of cloud computing service adoption in a developing country, namely Lebanon. A model is proposed, and data collected from 139 respondents working in SMEs in Lebanon and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression in SPSS provide strong support for the model. Results indicate that technological (i.e., complexity and security) and organizational (i.e., top management support and prior IT experience) factors are positively related to the decision to adopt cloud computing services. Moreover, one of the areas of potential interest is the effect of country-specific, or contextual factors, among those who intend to adopt cloud computing. The analysis shows that context-specific factors (i.e. poor infrastructure and lack of government initiatives) are negatively related to the adoption decision. Implications and limitations are discussed, and recommendations for future research are proposed.

Analysis of E-Commerce Adoption by SMEs Using the Technology - Organization - Environment (TOE) Model: A Case Study in Karawang, Indonesia

“…Compatability [31], [32], [29], [33], [26], [25], [23], [28] Perceived usefullness [24] Relative Adavantage [31], [32], [29], [33], [34], [25], [23], [28] Complexity [31], [29], [33], [25], [23], [28] Secuirity Concerns [24], [33], [25], [28] ISSN: 2774-5406 http://ijstm.inarah.co.id…”

“…Variable Indicator Source Organization Cost [29], [33], [26] Organizational Readiness [31], [24], [25], [35], [28] Top Management Support [31], [32], [24], [29], [33], [36], [34], [26], [25], [28] Organization size [33], [36], [37] Organization Culture [38], [26], [28] Environment Government Support [32], [29], [36], [38], [25], [35], [37], [28] Competitive Pressure [31], [32], [24], [29], [36], [34], [26], [25], [23], [28] Environment Uncertainly [29] Vendor Quality [24], [23] Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires via google form and print media. Google form is spread through social media, groups, MSMEs forums, and Whatsapp.…”

Performance of Reverse Logistics in Electronic Commerce: A Case Study From Lebanon and Syria

“…Due to such problems, several firms are not considering this region to conduct their e-business (El Rassi 2020). Lebanon is behind in terms of using advanced technology and in terms of innovation due to the fact that investments in R&D are relatively low (Skafi et al 2020). Nevertheless, Lebanon faces challenges in terms of bad infrastructure, collapsing economy, and political corruption.…”

Adoption behavior of water efficiency labeling: origin, research progress and theoretical framework – evidence from China

“…So far, scholars have explained the adoption behavior of corporate users from different perspectives, such as model empirical research (Deng et al, 2008;Tsai & Tang, 2012), the connotation and performance of adoption behavior (Zhu & Li, 2008), adoption decision (Du & Zhu, 2010) and influencing factors (Chin et al, 2015;Awa, 2019;Skafi et al, 2020). As the rapid technology development has led to the acceleration of technological updates, the adoption of new technologies by enterprise users has become the hot topic at home and abroad.…”

“…(Zhu & Zhao, 2009. The adoption of emerging technologies has always been the topic of scholars, and its influencing factors can be divided into three categories: (1) technical characteristics, for example, technology adoption cost, technology usefulness, security, characteristics and complexity (Wang et al, 2014;Skafi et al, 2020); (2) organizational factors, such as organizational competitive pressure, innovation needs, organizational experience, senior management and organizational adoption capabilities ( Jing & Li, 2017;Skafi et al, 2020) and (3) environmental factors, which mainly refer to government policies, external environmental pressure, economic environment and supporting facilities (Xu et al, 2017;Awa, 2019).…”