Attitude Towards Adopting Cloud Computing in the Saudi Banking Sector

Abstract

Cloud computing plays a significant role in business organisations by offering many benefits and opportunities. However, the adoption of cloud computing involves some trepidation. The adoption of cloud computing in developing countries is still in the early phase. The bank sector in Saudi Arabia aims to benefit from opportunities offered by the cloud computing technology; however, some banks continue to hesitate in the implementation of this technology. Therefore, this study aims to investigate factors that influence the attitude of the Saudi Arabian bank sector towards adopting cloud computing. A model that incorporates factors derived from the literature is developed in this study to determine whether specific factors positively or negatively affect the attitude of the Saudi bank sector towards adopting cloud computing. A quantitative method is used and data are collected from decision makers and IT staff members in the Saudi bank sector. Results showed that factors of security and privacy exert a significant negative effect whilst factors of benefits and competition pressure demonstrate a significant positive effect on the Saudi bank sector attitude towards adopting cloud computing. Thus, cloud computing providers must focus more on negative influential factors to reduce the apprehension of the bank sector in adopting the cloud computing technology. In addition, the bank sector must also consider factors that can drive the adoption of cloud computing as well as opportunities and losses if this technology is rejected.