Multi-Perspectives of Cloud Computing Service Adoption Quality and Risks in Higher Education

Abstract

Universities worldwide are starting to turn to cloud computing. The quality characteristics, which include access to a wider network of computing resources, pay-as-you-go services, self-services, agile services, and resource centralisation provide a convincing argument for HEIs to adopt cloud services. However, the risks leading to non-adoption range from security issues to a lack of cloud vendor support. The findings suggest that security, privacy, and trust are the key determinants to non-adoption as stakeholders felt that the cloud cannot fully guarantee the safeguarding of sensitive information. Key determinants to cloud adoption include improving relationships between students and teachers via collaborative tools and proposing cloud apps for mobile devices for accessing virtual learning materials and email securely off-campus. In conclusion, university stakeholders are still unconvinced about adopting cloud services, but future advances of the cloud may help to steer their decision to adopt this innovative technology given its overwhelming potential.