Exploring Cloud Computing Readiness and Acceptance in Higher Education Institution: A PLS-SEM Approach

Abstract

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered nearly every aspect of life, including education. Technology has replaced face-to-face teaching and learning nearly totally. This health disaster has accelerated digitization in the world of education, which was previously only available without a repulsive factor. Cloud computing technology has been widely used in education, including higher education, enabling teaching resources, educational information, notes, lectures, and academic assessments to be accessed and shared online. Yet, in celebrating the greatness of technology, are users ready to accept an explosion of information resources and access openly online through cloud-based services? Thus, this research will investigate the Higher Education Institution (HEI) users' readiness and acceptance of cloud computing. The research employs the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology Readiness Index (TRI) model together with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate 470 individuals from HEIs in Malaysia. Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness are found to be positively significant in explaining why a user decides to use cloud computing. Optimism and innovativeness have found to affect the factors of technology acceptance significantly. In contrast, discomfort and insecurity do not affect technology acceptance factors, except for insecurity that negatively impacts Perceived Usefulness. This study contributes to another finding to studying technology readiness and acceptance, especially in higher education.   Keywords: Cloud Computing, Technology Readiness, Technology Acceptance, HEI, SEM