An analysis of security, cost-effectiveness, and it compliance factors influencing cloud adoption by it managers

Cloud computing has gained acceptance as a model that aligns information technology (IT) service delivery with business strategies in organizations to improve real time provisioning of software, database, applications and infrastructure, and as a solution to rising costs of managing IT. The adoption of cloud computing provides benefits to organizations that include pay-as-you-go billing, on-demand capabilities, and reduction in IT operational expenses. The study was intended to provide business decision-makers with credible data about the factors influencing the adoption of cloud computing. The outcome of this study allows IT organizations, irrespective of their type and size, to make key decisions on adoption of cloud computing. The impact of managements' perception of security, cost effectiveness, and IT compliance were tested using regression analysis in direct comparison to their decision to adopt cloud adoption technology. The study results determined that management's perception of security, cost-effectiveness and IT compliance factors significantly influence the decisions to adopt cloud computing. The results of linear regression analysis testing in this study showed that management's perception of cost-effectiveness is more significantly correlated to their decision to adopt cloud computing than security. The results of the study also indicate that the decision to adopt cloud computing technology depends on managers' perception of security, cost-effectiveness and IT compliance requirements, however cost-effectiveness scored higher that the other constructs.