Determinants and their causal relationships affecting the adoption of cloud computing in science and technology institutions

Cloud computing is a technology and service innovation that has attracted tremendous interest across almost all areas of computational use. With low construction costs and high system scalability, cloud computing provides an alternative to the traditional high-performance computing employed for decades in science and technology (S&T) institutions. Despite the tremendous benefits of cloud computing, achieving its successful diffusion is no easy task. The goal of this research was to construct a decision framework by identifying a series of key consideration factors and their causal relationships that affect the adoption of cloud computing in S&T institutions. To reach the research goal, we conducted an empirical study by surveying a group of people who are implementers and/or users of cloud computing in S&T institutions. Based on the classic innovation diffusion theories, this research extends the theoretical understanding of the determinants and their cause-and-effect relationships that influence the diffusion of technological innovation in the context of S&T. Practically, this research offers practitioners a strategic path to the successful adoption of cloud computing.