A Model for Adoption of Open-Source Cloud Computing: Platform as a Service and Software as a Service

Abstract

In the realm of cloud computing adoption in the modern enterprises, open-source cloud is aimed at enabling efficiency and lowering the cost of operations. The drive to adopt open-source cloud computing infrastructure has gained momentum across the globe. The developing countries are paying a catch-up with the developed world. The slow pace of adoption has been attributed to a lack of understanding of open-source cloud computing and determinants of adoption of the technology. Using a sample size of 132 respondents, drawn from across universities that have adopted some form of open-source cloud solutions, the study explored determinants of adoption of open-source cloud computing in universities in Kenya and using PLS-SEM, generated a model to guide the adoption process. The study established that Technological Factors; reliability, security and usability. Organization Readiness Factors; Top Management and Cost Effectiveness and Operational Environment Factors; Vendor support were key determinants of adoption of open-source cloud computing. These factors explained 0.771 variance R2, where cloud technology reliability, had the strongest effect on adoption.