Adoption Strategy for Cloud Computing in Kenyan Research Institutions

Abstract

Cloud computing has transformed the aspect of distributed computing from many other prevailing methods by offering more unlimited benefits, like cutting down computing costs and allowing more capacity and agility. It is viewed as a game-changer in how information technology is provided since it allows computer resources like storage, processing capacity, network infrastructure, and applications to be offered as a service via the Internet. In business, it seems to have become strategic, with the potential for use in crucial parts of an organization's IT infrastructure, as it offers a potential alternative to traditional Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Most Kenyan research institutes' systems experienced certain flaws and recognized incidents of system rigidity, which prevented these institutions from efficiently meeting their mandate, especially when they desired to access services from home via the Internet. The Research design that was utilized in the study was a survey research design. The study employed a systematic review approach that examined the current literature on cloud computing adoption strategy. The systematic literature review revealed that existing research was dominated by issues of the characteristics/peculiarities and IT environments of research institutions in Kenya and if they were amenable to cloud solutions, the current cloud computing technologies, adoption approaches and drivers fostering cloud computing and the adoption strategy that met the requirements for cloud computing for Kenyan research institutions. The present research was reviewed for knowledge gap identification purposes and future research opportunities. The researcher developed an adoption strategy favorable to research Institutions that was flexible to the provision of cloud computing resources, enhanced greater cloud computing efficiency, reduced capital expenditure in hardware and software and increased the performance of the research Institution's operations, provided the efficiency of data and information and supported the effectiveness of the management activities since the cloud strategies discussed did not promote cooperation, agility, scalability and flexibility and saving costs by using calculating resources efficiently and optimally. This study employed a purposive sampling approach that picked a sample size of twenty respondents from the KMFRI and related organizations. The analytical review of specifically identified studies exposed the kind of challenges that existed and gave an indication that cloud computing was applicable for Kenyan Research Institutions because of the organization size, possession of required skills to make use of cloud-based services, Government regulations, industry regulations and internal policies necessitated the move to cloud computing strategy. The cloud service providers have adequate capacity to run the services and are ready with the services they provide. Researchers noted that all the research Institutions have dedicated ICT personnel and ICT Policies. Efficient service delivery means there is easy access to any research information from the cloud at any time and anywhere. Using Factor Analysis, variable weights for various study constructs (Technological, Internal and External Contexts) were used to develop the adoption strategy for cloud computing (ASCC). The recommendations of the study from the developed strategy showed that the network infrastructure should be more developed so that the Kenyan Research Institutions can be connected to high-speed Internet to allow for sharing of information, which will ensure efficient service delivery using cloud computing services. The study also recommended that Kenyan Research Institutes train their customers and suppliers on using cloud computing services for efficient service delivery and the adoption strategy for cloud computing (ASCC) to achieve efficiency in service delivery. Areas for further related studies can be conducted to determine the long-term impact of the developed adoption strategy for adopting cloud computing in Kenyan research Institutions. Also, further studies could carry out to determine ways of improving the developed adoption strategy for the adoption of cloud computing in Kenyan Research.