Adoption of Cloud-Based Services By SMEs in Developing Countries

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face numerous challenges in identification, setting up and making use of Information Technology (IT) as an enabler for business. Cloud computing could solve this problem by offering ready, low cost of entry IT solutions. Adoption of cloud computing among the SMEs in developing countries is however low due to a number of barriers as identified by previous studies. Over the years, research on adoption on innovation and technology has unveiled a number of theories on adoption which range from Individual level theories to Organizational level theories and even Market level theories. This study reviews the various theories, opting to use an organization level theory so that focus on the SME is emphasized. Analysis of literature renders this study to be based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. This study reviews the current adoption levels of cloud computing and proposes a TOE based model for adoption of cloud-based services by SMEs in developing countries. The study employed literature review to determine the factors that are applicable for a model on adoption of cloud computing in the developing countries.