Luca Ferri

Expected benefits and perceived risks of cloud computing: an investigation within an Italian setting

ABSTRACT Over the past several years, cloud computing has increasingly been regarded as able to improve efficiency within organisations. The aim of this study is to address under-investigated issues related to the implementation of cloud computing, with a particular focus on expected benefits and the perception of risks. Towards this aim, on the basis of an adapted version of the technology acceptance model, we carried out a semi-structured survey among first-time cloud computing users to identify expected benefits and perceived risks. The survey of this study included a sample of 130 individuals in 65 enterprises located within Italy. We chose an Italian setting because it is characterised by an increasing number of programmes that emphasise the importance of cloud computing and support its wide dissemination. The findings of this study identify possible areas for improvement within the implementation phases of cloud computing.

I rischi derivanti dall’implementazione del cloud computing: un’indagine empirica nelle PMI Italiane

This paper examines the issues relating to the implementation of cloud computing in Italian SMEs. The aim is to measure the perception of the risks usually associated to the introduction of cloud computing in Italian SMEs identified as first-time adopters. The analysis relies upon a questionnaire disseminated through 400 individuals belonging to the Accounting and/or Information and Communication Technology divisions of 200 Italian SMEs, during the implementation phase of cloud computing. The survey was conceived as to obtain information about the perceived risks in terms of likelihood and impact before cloud computing adoption and after six months of implementation. The data gathered were therefore helpful to put into light the perceived risks of cloud computing implementation. The results show that there is a strong risks perception before this tool implementation indipendentely from the personal experience of the respondent. Hence, this research contributes to the ongoing debate on cloud computing potential in firms, deepening the issues relating to its introduction.

Accountants Are from Mars, ICT Practitioners Are from Venus. Predicting Technology Acceptance Between Two Groups

Several authors tried to explain the key determinants in technology acceptance using the technology acceptance model (TAM). TAM posits that ease of use and usefulness predict technology usage. Despite it strong usage there are several studies that show a lack in the model due to the absence of personal factors that should be considered. This paper aims to show the existence of significant difference in technology usage between different groups of people. Two hundred and fifty individuals responded to a survey about technology usage in their firms. Our results show that there is a statistically significant difference in ease of use and in perceived usefulness. The investigation applies TAM to help researchers, developers and managers understand antecedents to users’ intention to use.

Cloud Computing Adoption in Italian SMEs: A Focus on Decision-making and Post-implementation Processes

Cloud computing is an emerging model in which machines in large data centres can be used to deliver services in a scalable manner. It allows firms to receive the same internal ICT structure with lower costs and a higher degree of flexibility. With this technology come many disadvantages that can have a major impact on the information and services supported by this technology. This chapter pursues two related aims. First, it investigates the decision-making process of implementing cloud computing by highlighting the drivers and ICT requirements of SMEs. Then, it examines the effects following the migration of the ICT system from an in-house data centre to a cloud-based service. We found specific drivers and ICT requirements, suggesting the implementation of cloud computing in SMEs to oversee specific issues. Moreover, our findings show that the advantages arising post-implementation confirm the expectations created by the management during the decision-making process; meanwhile, at least in the short term, no disadvantages arose.