FACTORS INFLUENCING CLOUD COMPUTING ADAPTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The adoption of cloud computing in private higher education institutions in Sri Lanka, particularly in Western Province, has grown significantly, shaped by various organizational, technological, environmental, and cultural factors. Despite their advantages such as enhanced accessibility, scalability, and cost efficiency, these institutions face challenges in effectively implementing cloud solutions. This study aimed to identify the critical factors influencing cloud computing adoption in these institutions. Using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and considering cultural aspects, this study explored the key drivers and barriers affecting the integration of cloud computing in institutional operations. An explanatory research design was employed to examine the relationships between independent variables such as technological readiness, organizational support, environmental pressures, cultural factors, and cloud computing adoption as the dependent variable. Data were collected through a survey administered via Google Forms to administrative staff, faculty, and students from three private universities in the Western Province. A purposive sampling strategy was used, with a target sample of 384 respondents as determined by the Morgan table. The data were analyzed using SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including regression analysis. The findings suggest that successful cloud computing adoption in private higher education institutions in Sri Lanka requires addressing diverse technological, organizational, environmental, and cultural dimensions. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing insights specific to private higher education in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and offers guidance for future cloud computing implementations in similar contexts.