Factors Influencing Cloud Computing Adoption in Higher Education Institutions of Least Developed Countries: Evidence from Republic of Yemen

Abstract

Cloud-based technology, which is now well established, helps in reducing costs and providing accessibility, reliability and flexibility. However, the Yemen higher educational institutions (HEIs) have not yet embraced the technology due to security and privacy concerns, lack of trust, negative cultural attitudes (i.e., tribalism), and most importantly, lack of digital devices experience in educational settings as well as lack of knowledge and technical know-how. Thus, this study proposes a conceptual model of cloud computing adoption in Yemen HEIs by investigating the influence of technology, organization and environment (TOE) factors. In addition, this study investigates the moderating effect of tribalism culture in the relationships between the identified factors and cloud computing adoption. The study employed the quantitative approach to determine the factors that influence cloud computing adoption in Yemen HEIs through a questionnaire survey. Data were collected from 328 respondents in 38 HEIs and analyzed using partial least square (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM). The results indicate that relative advantage, reliability, compatibility, security, technology readiness, top management support, regulatory policy and competitive pressure have positive significant impacts on the cloud computing adoption, except tribalism culture with negative significant impact. The study also found that tribalism culture moderates the relationship between compatibility, reliability, security, relative advantage, regulatory policy and cloud computing adoption. This study contributes to the TOE adoption model by including the cultural factor as a moderator towards cloud computing adoption in Yemen HEIs. The study also provides a model and insights for HEIs, technology consultants, vendors and policy makers in better understanding of the factors that influence cloud computing adoption in least developed countries (LDCs), specifically, Yemen.