Analyzing Continuance of Cloud Computing in Higher Education Institutions: Should We Stay, or Should We Go?

Rusli Abdullah,Shahla Asadi,Yousef A M Qasem,Rodziah Atan,Yusmadi Yah Jusoh

doi:10.3390/su13094664

Rusli Abdullah, Shahla Asadi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094664

Copy DOI

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) consider resource optimization as an essential concern. Cloud computing (CC) in the fourth industrial revolution became the de-facto standard for delivering IT resources and services. CC is now a mainstream technology, andHEIs across the globe are rapidly transitioning to this model; hence, maintaining the retention of the customers of such technologies is challenging for cloud service providers. Current research concerning CC focused on adoption and acceptance. However, there is still a scarcity of research concerning such technology’s continued use in an organizational setting. Drawing on the prior literature in organizational-level continuance, this paper established a positivist quantitative-empirical study to bridge the research gap and assess the precursors for a continuance of cloud technology in HEIs. Subsequently, this study developed a conceptual framework by integrating the IS success model and the IS discontinuance model through the lens of the TOE framework. The data were collected from the decision-makers of Malaysian HEIs that have adopted CC services, and analyzed using Structural equation Modelling (SEM) based on Partial Least Squares (PLS). The results indicate that the continuance intention can be predicted by technology, organizational, environmental, and other contextualized factors, explaining 85.2% of the dependent variables’ variance. The paper closes with a discussion of the research limitations, contribution, and future directions.

Highlights

Cloud Computing (CC), as the current generation in computing technology of FourthIndustrial Revolution (IR 4.0), has emerged as the main standard of service and resource delivery [1]
Research assessing the continuance of Information Systems (IS) (i.e., CC)
Among the immense research on IS adoption and continuance, this study focuses on continuance of CC in the context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) since it is crucial to address the gap given the rapidly advancing CC domain and the unique nature of the HEIs

Summary

Introduction

Cloud Computing (CC), as the current generation in computing technology of FourthIndustrial Revolution (IR 4.0), has emerged as the main standard of service and resource delivery [1]. Most organisations are moving towards CC technology to decrease operational costs [2]. CC is taking its position to enable better agility in organisations and drive digital innovation. Institutions (HEIs) creates a need for better IT infrastructure that facilitates the provision of affordable education [3,4]. Considering the fast pace of change in IT technology, resource management is a critical concern for HEIs [5]. Such is the case because systems installed on the premises can work optimally only if adequate initial capital and necessary resources are provided; such systems require a comprehensive maintenance plan [6,7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion