A Model for Adopting Cloud Computing in Government Sector: Case Study in Iraq

Abstract

Cloud computing is an on-demand delivery system of computing resources, such as servers, databases, storage, networking, software, and analytics, over the Internet on a pay-for-use basis. This technology is not currently widely utilized in government institutions, especially in the case of Iraq, for different factors. The main objective of this research is to identify the most critical factors that prevent the adoption of cloud computing, through developing a conceptual model that integrates the Technology Organization, and Environment (TOE) framework, Iacovou et al.' s model, and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory. The key factors influencing the adoption of cloud technology have been determined through literature review. The results show that the most significant concerns that can have a negative impact in the decision of adoption are as follows: feasibility, trust, regulatory concerns, IT readiness, privacy, compatibility, government support, availability and reliability, industry type, security, cost, complexity, organization size, organization culture, as well as direct benefits and indirect benefits have a positive impact in the decision of cloud adoption. Moreover, the researchers used the CloudAnalyst simulator to identify the real time performance of the cloud technology environment, and applied two algorithms via this tool, namely the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, which used to obtain the weight of variables depending on the questionnaire results, and the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which used to identify the privacy and security of cloud technology. Finally, the researchers have proposed guidelines to help government institutions to move to the cloud environment in an effective manner.