A model for assessing the impact of cloud computing on the success of customer relationship management systems (case study: agricultural companies)

Abstract

Purpose Nowadays, communications, products, services and costs are customized through the internet technology. The main theory to continue competitiveness in the organizations is customer relationship management (CRM). CRM enables organizations to efficiently interact with customers and gather, store and examine their data for providing a complete view of them. On the other hand, the subject of cloud computing has increasingly become the bridge for the success of the CRM implementation. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of cloud computing (new cloud facility, knowledge of information technology (IT), cloud security and cost) on the success of CRM systems. Design/methodology/approach The model and the questioners-based data are analyzed using the Smart PLS 3.0. The data were gathered based on 80 employees of three main agricultural companies in Iran. Findings The obtained results have indicated that all of the considered factors, new cloud facilities, knowledge of IT, cloud security and cost, play an important role in CRM systems’ success. Also, the evaluation and examination of the consistency and validity of the model are performed through the structural equation model. Research limitations/implications First, the authors have conducted a study in a single region. It cannot be guaranteed that the results can be generalized to other regions. Second, for this cross-sectional study, the research design was conducted that showed constant relationships between variables. The research done for this study is cross-sectional. Third, because of time and financial restrictions, the authors have gathered data using a sample from a single location. Originality/value Proposing a new model for investigating of the impact of cloud computing (new cloud facility, knowledge of Information Technology (IT), cloud security and cost) on the success of CRM systems is the main originality of this paper.