| dc.description.abstract | Cloud computing has become a topic of tremendous interest as organizations struggle to improve their IT performance. The promise of cloud computing is to deliver all the functionality of existing information technology services (and in fact enable new functionalities that are hitherto infeasible) even as it dramatically reduces the upfront costs of computing that deter many organizations from deploying many cutting-edge IT services. The study was concerned with the adoption of cloud computing in Kenya. The study was guided by the following research objectives: to determine the perception of Managers towards the adoption of Cloud Computing; establish which functions of business have been moved to the cloud and to determine the challenges/concerns associated with adoption of Cloud Computing by Managers of Firms listed on the NSE.
The study used a descriptive study targeting the chief information technology officer,
information technology managers, information system managers and managers involved in policy making decisions on computing systems in the listed companies on the NSE. The study collected primary data from 56 of these respondents using questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results were presented using tables and other graphical presentations for ease of understanding and analysis. The study found out that the majority of the respondents were male, had various ICT qualifications and worked in varied industries in the economy. The respondents were of the perception that cloud computing is easier to use, safer, solves problems and easier to learn. The companies had also moved messaging and collaboration, human resources and payroll to a moderate extent and CRM/sales management, accounting and finance, project management and application development to the cloud. The study also found out that the major concerns for cloud computing adoption were security, privacy and reliability.
The study found various factors affecting the adoption of cloud computing in Kenya and
recommended that in order to promote cloud computing among commercial companies cloud service providers should provide successful case studies and statistics in order to help companies realise the applications of the cloud. Also further research on cloud computing should focus on investigating how businesses are using the cloud to create advantage. Further research also needs to identify the issues faced by organisations when adopting the cloud. Since cloud computing is still new to both academia and commerce the outcome of these studies will help academics and practitioners alike assess the actual uses of the cloud in practice and the business benefits and
challenges of adopting it. | en |
