A Framework to guide companies on adopting cloud computing technologies

dc.creatorBitta, Maurice Nyaoro
dc.creatorMarwanga (Dr.), Reuben
dc.date05/22/2013
dc.dateWed, 22 May 2013
dc.dateWed, 22 May 2013 19:51:21
dc.dateWed, 22 May 2013 19:51:21
dc.date.accessioned2015-03-18T11:28:58Z
dc.date.available2015-03-18T11:28:58Z
dc.descriptionThesis submitted in partial fulfillment for award of the degree of Master of Science in Computer based Information Systems at Strathmore University
dc.descriptionCloud computing has emerged as a popular computing model in the Westem world. It is still not well understood by many companies in the developing world that may benefit from its pay-per-use models, and low hardware and software management costs. This dissertation aims at describing Cloud computing, discussing its benefits and barriers, and proposing a framework that small businesses could use to guide them with the adoption of this new computing paradigm. The dissertation deploys the case study as its research methodology. Three small businesses are studied. All three companies are small businesses as per the definition provided by the European Commission. One company is a non-profit, while the other two are for-profit organizations. One of the two for-profit companies operates in an IT intensive industry. The proposed framework is built on the premise that the quality of data collected through qualitative enquiry is sufficient for it to be used for evaluative purposes. Also, although three cases may not be a basis that is large enough for arriving at a scientific conclusion, the research uses Walsham (1993) argument that from an interpretive position, the validity from our extrapolation from these cases depends on the plausibility and cogency of the logical reasoning used in describing the results from the cases, and in drawing conclusions from them. From the research, we discover that businesses perceive Cloud computing to be useful and that they are prepared to face the challenges that hinder its adoption but that they lack a framework to guide them in adopting this technology. This dissertation's key contribution therefore is the proposal of a four-staged framework that could be used to guide small businesses in adopting Cloud computing technologies.
dc.description.abstractCloud computing has emerged as a popular computing model in the Westem world. It is still not well understood by many companies in the developing world that may benefit from its pay-per-use models, and low hardware and software management costs. This dissertation aims at describing Cloud computing, discussing its benefits and barriers, and proposing a framework that small businesses could use to guide them with the adoption of this new computing paradigm. The dissertation deploys the case study as its research methodology. Three small businesses are studied. All three companies are small businesses as per the definition provided by the European Commission. One company is a non-profit, while the other two are for-profit organizations. One of the two for-profit companies operates in an IT intensive industry. The proposed framework is built on the premise that the quality of data collected through qualitative enquiry is sufficient for it to be used for evaluative purposes. Also, although three cases may not be a basis that is large enough for arriving at a scientific conclusion, the research uses Walsham (1993) argument that from an interpretive position, the validity from our extrapolation from these cases depends on the plausibility and cogency of the logical reasoning used in describing the results from the cases, and in drawing conclusions from them. From the research, we discover that businesses perceive Cloud computing to be useful and that they are prepared to face the challenges that hinder its adoption but that they lack a framework to guide them in adopting this technology. This dissertation's key contribution therefore is the proposal of a four-staged framework that could be used to guide small businesses in adopting Cloud computing technologies.
dc.formatNumber of Pages: xi, 81 p.
dc.identifierQA76.585.B58 2012
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11071/3562
dc.languageeng
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dc.subjectInternet programming
dc.subjectCloud computing
dc.subjectApplication software--Development
dc.titleA Framework to guide companies on adopting cloud computing technologies
dc.typeThesis
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