An Empirical Study of Factors that Influence the Adoption of Cloud Computing Applications by ...

354 Pages·2017·7.12 MB·English

An Empirical Study of Factors that
Influence the Adoption of Cloud
Computing Applications by
Students in Saudi Arabian
Universities
by

Abdulwahab Ali Almazroi

Thesis

Submitted to Flinders University

for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

College of Science and Engineering

2017
Declaration

I certify that this thesis does not include any prior materials submitted for a degree or
diploma in any university without acknowledgment; and to the best of the researcher
knowledge and belief it does not include any prior material published or written by
another individual with the exception of where due reference is used in the text.

__________________________

Abdulwahab Ali Almazroi
August 25th, 2017
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Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I thank Allah Almighty for giving me the time and strength to
accomplish this study; this work would not have been completed without the success
He granted me.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to my supervisor Dr.
Haifeng Shen for his invaluable support and guidance that empowered me
throughout my research journey. My kind and sincere appreciation also goes to my
co-supervisor Dr. Kung-Keat Teoh for his cooperation and guidance during my
research journey. Certainly, without their encouragement, invaluable knowledge, and
generous support this work would never have been completed.

My deepest thanks also go to Flinders University in Australia for providing me with
research support and conducive learning environment.

My unreserved appreciation and gratitude goes to my father, my brothers and sisters
for their continuous support, prayers and encouragement that gave me the strength to
succeed in my PhD research journey. May Allah bless you all.

My heartfelt thanks go to my wife Maria and to my sons Badr and Anas for their
support, patience and understanding that helped me throughout this phase of my life.
Thank you very much, you are indeed my treasure.

I would also like to express my thanks to my friends and PhD colleagues for their
friendly advices and support. I would indeed like to convey my thanks to all the
participants for taking part in this study.

Finally, I sincerely thank Jeddah University in Saudi Arabia, for financially
supporting my study.

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Abstract

Cloud computing is an innovative technology that has revolutionized various areas
such as education, healthcare, government, and commerce. The technology provides
different solutions to organizations on demand in order to improve their performance
and to lower hardware and software procurement and maintenance cost. There is a
rich body of literature on its benefits for higher education institutions, however,
studies that investigate the factors affecting cloud computing applications adoption
by university students in developing countries especially Saudi Arabia are lacking.
To fillthis gap, this study examines the factors that affect the adoption of cloud
applications by Saudi Arabian university students. The researchadoptsTechnology
Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3) as the basis for developing the study model. This study
employs amixed method approach, which involves collecting and analyzing
quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously. The proposed model is examined
and validated using a questionnaire survey amongst university students at King
Abdulaziz University and Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. Among 527 collected
responses, 451 are valid for data analysis. In addition, 3 focus groups consisting of
14 students areconducted to validate the quantitative findings. Statistical Package for
the Social Sciences (SPSS ver.22) and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS
ver. 19) software areutilized for questionnaire analysis. The findings show that both
measurement and structural models demonstrate good fit to the data, and all
constructs meet the criteria to achieve construct reliability and validity. In addition,
the path estimates show that 9 out of the 17 proposed relationships aresignificant.
The empirical results show that perceived ease of use hasa significant positive
influence on perceived usefulness; perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness
havea direct significant impact on behavioural intention; subjective norm has a direct
positive influence on image; trust and job relevance have a significance positive
impact on perceived usefulness; perceptions of external control, perceived
enjoyment, and playfulness significantly predict perceived ease of use. On the other
hand, subjective norm hasa non-significant effect on perceived usefulness, and
behavioural intention; image has a non-significant effect on perceived usefulness;
self-efficacy and anxiety have no influence on perceived ease of use; and trust has a
non-significant influence on behavioural intention. The results further reveal that the
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moderating factors in this study which are output quality and Internet experience
have a non-significant effect on the hypothesized relationships in the proposed
research model. Furthermore, these findings are supported by the findings of the
focus groups. The results of this study will help decision makers in Saudi Arabian
academic institutions to ensure successful adoption of cloud services among students.
Likewise, the findings will help cloud applications providers better understandthe
factors that influence the adoption of cloud applications by students, in order to
develop cloud computing applications that would be easily adopted and used by
students.
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Contents

Declaration.................................................................................................i
Acknowledgments.....................................................................................ii
Abstract....................................................................................................iii
Contents.....................................................................................................v
List of Figures........................................................................................xiv
List of Table............................................................................................xv
List of Abbreviations...........................................................................xvii
Publications............................................................................................xx
Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Problem Statement ............................................................................................. 5
1.3 Objectives of the Study ...................................................................................... 7
1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................................ 7
1.5 Overview of Methodology ................................................................................. 8
1.6 Significance of the Study ................................................................................... 8
1.7 Scope of the Study .............................................................................................. 9
1.8 Thesis Organization .......................................................................................... 10
Chapter 2: Overview of Cloud Computing ...................................... 11
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 11
2.2 History of Cloud Computing ............................................................................ 11
2.3 Definition of Cloud Computing ....................................................................... 14
2.4 Components of Cloud Computing .................................................................... 17
2.5 Characteristics of Cloud Computing ................................................................ 18
2.6 Service Models of Cloud Computing ............................................................... 19
2.7 Deployment Models of Cloud Computing ....................................................... 24
2.8 Benefits of Cloud Computing ........................................................................... 27
2.9 Challenges of Cloud Computing Adoption ...................................................... 32
2.9.1 Security and Confidentiality ...................................................................... 32
2.9.2 Availability ................................................................................................ 34
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2.9.3 Performance .............................................................................................. 35
2.9.4 Costing Model ........................................................................................... 36
2.9.5 Service Level Agreement .......................................................................... 36
2.9.6 Vendor Lock-in ......................................................................................... 37
2.9.7 Compliance and Physical Location ........................................................... 37
2.9.8 IT Department’s Stand and Changes ......................................................... 38
2.10 State of Cloud Computing in Saudi Arabia .................................................... 38
2.11 Cloud Computing in Education Environment ................................................ 41
2.12 Previous Studies on Cloud Computing Adoption .......................................... 42
2.13 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................... 49
Chapter 3: Technology Acceptance Theories and Models .............. 50
3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 50
3.2 Overview of Technology Adoption Models ..................................................... 50
3.2.1 Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory .................................................... 50
3.2.2 Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) ........................................................... 52
3.2.3 Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) ........................................................ 54
3.2.4 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) .................................................... 56
3.2.5 Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2) ............................................... 58
3.2.6 Model of Determinants of Perceived Ease of Use .................................... 61
3.2.7 Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3) ............................................... 64
3.3 Justification for Selecting the Research Model ................................................ 67
3.4 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................. 69
Chapter 4: Research Model and Hypotheses ................................... 71
4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 71
4.2 The Research Model ......................................................................................... 71
4.2.1 Behavioural Intention (BI) ........................................................................ 73
4.2.2 Perceived Usefulness (PU) ........................................................................ 75
4.2.3 Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) ................................................................. 76
4.2.4 Trust (TR) .................................................................................................. 78
4.2.5 Subjective Norm (SN) ............................................................................... 80
4.2.6 Image (IMG) ............................................................................................. 82
4.2.7 Job Relevance (REL) ................................................................................ 83
4.2.8 Output Quality (OUT) ............................................................................... 83
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4.2.9 Result Demonstrability (RES) ................................................................... 85
4.2.10 Self-Efficacy (SE) ................................................................................... 85
4.2.11 Perceptions of External Control (PEC) ................................................... 87
4.2.12 Anxiety (ANX) ........................................................................................ 88
4.2.13 Playfulness (PLAY) ................................................................................ 89
4.2.14 Perceived Enjoyment (ENJ) .................................................................... 89
4.2.15 The Moderating Variable: Internet Experience (IE) ............................... 90
4.3 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................. 94
Chapter 5: Research Methodology .................................................... 95
5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 95
5.2 Research Concept and Paradigms .................................................................... 95
5.2.1 Positivism .................................................................................................. 97
5.2.2 Interpretivism ............................................................................................ 97
5.2.3 Critical Theory .......................................................................................... 98
5.3 Research Approaches and Studies .................................................................... 98
5.4 Research Design ............................................................................................... 99
5.4.1 Quantitative Research................................................................................ 99
5.4.2 Qualitative Research ............................................................................... 100
5.4.3 Mixed Method Research ......................................................................... 101
5.5 Research Strategies ......................................................................................... 105
5.5.1 Quantitative Strategies ............................................................................ 105
5.5.1.1 Survey................................................................................................ 105
5.5.1.2 Experiment......................................................................................... 106
5.5.2 Qualitative Strategies .............................................................................. 106
5.5.2.1 Case Study......................................................................................... 107
5.5.2.2 Grounded Theory............................................................................... 107
5.5.2.3 Ethnography....................................................................................... 107
5.5.2.4 Narrative Research............................................................................. 108
5.5.2.5 Action Research................................................................................. 108
5.5.3 Mixed Method Strategies ........................................................................ 108
5.5.3.1 Sequential Mixed Methods................................................................ 109
5.5.3.2 Concurrent Mixed Methods............................................................... 109
5.5.3.3 Transformative Mixed Methods........................................................ 109
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5.6 Research Design for this Study ...................................................................... 110
5.7 Study Setting .................................................................................................. 111
5.8 Population and Sample ................................................................................... 111
5.8.1 Sampling Techniques .............................................................................. 112
5.8.2 Sample Size ............................................................................................. 114
5.9 Data Collection Methods ................................................................................ 115
5.9.1 Quantitative Data Collection ................................................................... 115
5.9.1.1 Questionnaire Design......................................................................... 116
5.9.1.2 Questionnaire Translation.................................................................. 122
5.9.1.3 Pre-Testing and Pilot Study............................................................... 122
5.9.1.4 Initial Pilot Study............................................................................... 124
5.9.1.5 Main Pilot Study................................................................................ 124
5.9.1.6 Questionnaire Administration............................................................ 126
5.9.2 Qualitative Data Collection ..................................................................... 127
5.9.2.1 Focus Group....................................................................................... 128
5.9.2.1.1 Focus Group Schedule Design .................................................... 128
5.9.2.1.2 Pilot Study for Focus Group ....................................................... 129
5.9.2.1.3 Conducting the Focus Group ...................................................... 130
5.9.2.2 Open-Ended Question........................................................................ 132
5.10 Data Analysis ............................................................................................... 133
5.10.1 Quantitative Data Analysis .................................................................... 133
5.10.2 Qualitative Data Analysis ...................................................................... 134
5.11 Reliability and Validity ................................................................................ 134
5.11.1 Reliability of the Questionnaire ............................................................ 134
5.11.2 Validity of the Questionnaire ................................................................ 135
5.11.3 Reliability and Validity of the Focus Groups ........................................ 135
5.12 Ethical Issues ................................................................................................ 136
5.13 Chapter Summary ......................................................................................... 137
Chapter 6: Quantitative Data Analysis and Results ...................... 138
6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 138
6.2 Data Screening ............................................................................................... 138
6.2.1 Missing Data ........................................................................................... 138
6.2.2 Assessment of Normality ........................................................................ 139
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6.2.3 Outliers Screening ................................................................................... 140
6.2.4 Multicollinearity Test .............................................................................. 141
6.3 Descriptive Statistics ...................................................................................... 143
6.3.1 University and Academic Major ............................................................. 145
6.3.2 Gender, Age Group, and Year of Study .................................................. 145
6.3.3 Availability of Computer, Number of Years Using Computer, and
Computer Knowledge ............................................................................ 145
6.3.4 Availability of High-Speed Internet Connection at Home and University
and Availability of Computer Labs ....................................................... 146
6.3.5 Number of Years Using Internet, Time Spend on Internet Daily, and
Internet Proficiency ............................................................................... 146
6.4 Assessment of Reliability and Validity .......................................................... 147
6.4.1 Reliability ................................................................................................ 147
6.4.1.1 Internal Consistency.......................................................................... 147
6.4.1.2 Item-to-Total Correlation.................................................................. 148
6.4.2 Validity .................................................................................................... 149
6.5 Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) ............................................................... 149
6.5.1 Assessment of Appropriateness of Data .................................................. 150
6.5.2 Communalities ........................................................................................ 151
6.5.3 Factor Extraction and Rotation ............................................................... 152
6.6 Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) ........................................................... 158
6.6.1 Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) ..................................................... 158
6.6.1.1 Measurement Model Assessment...................................................... 159
6.6.1.2 Convergent Validity........................................................................... 163
6.6.1.3 Discriminant Validity......................................................................... 164
6.6.2 Structural Model Evaluation and Hypotheses Testing ............................ 170
6.6.3 Testing the Moderating Effect ................................................................. 174
6.6.3.1 Output Quality (OUT)........................................................................ 174
6.6.3.2 Internet Experience (IE)..................................................................... 175
6.7 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................... 176
Chapter 7: Qualitative Data Analysis and Results ........................ 178
7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 178
7.2 Focus Groups Analysis and Findings ............................................................. 178
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