Title: Enablers and inhibitors of cloud computing adoption in Indian small and medium sized enterprises

Authors: Devesh Kumar; Harsh Vardhan Samalia

Addresses: Faculty of Management Sciences and Liberal Arts, School of Business Management, Shoolini University, Post Box 9, Head Post Office, The Mall, Solan, Himachal Pradesh-173212, India ' Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Mayurbhanj Complex, Nongthymmai, Shillong, Meghalaya-793014, India

Abstract: The information and communication technologies (ICTs) penetration and adoption among Indian SMEs is low because of the high cost of ICTs and other complexities involved in using and maintaining these. In such a scenario, cloud computing can be a good option for SMEs for accessing and using appropriate ICTs in a cost-effective way. Through cloud computing, SMEs can get access to the latest ICTs using internet on a pay-per-usage basis without actually buying and maintaining such ICTs locally. However, there are some challenges like security and privacy of business data, connectivity issues and vendor lock-in, which may prevent SMEs from using cloud computing. The objective of this study is to understand and assess factors which enable or inhibit adoption of cloud computing among SMEs in India. For this, data were collected from 121 SMEs from a prominent industrial area in the northern region of India. Confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis techniques were applied for data analysis and for drawing the conclusion.

Keywords: cloud computing; adoption; India; small and medium enterprise; SME; micro; small and medium enterprise; MSME; information and communication technology; ICT; SaaS; enablers; inhibitors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2023.132441

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2023 Vol.49 No.2, pp.228 - 245

Received: 16 Aug 2019
Accepted: 31 Mar 2020
Published online: 20 Jul 2023 *

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