BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION OF CLOUD COMPUTING IN GHANA: THE CASE OF SELECTED PUBLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

摘要

A number of researches have shown that the adoption of cloud computing is associated with various barriers in both developed and developing countries. However this evidence is unavailable in the context of higher educational institutions in Ghana. This paper therefore identifies barriers to the adoption of cloud computing in public tertiary institutions in Ghana. The study's participants were IT/ICT lecturers and professionals in selected public tertiary institutions in Ghana. Purposive sampling was used to select 331 participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis shows that loss of full control over internal data and systems linked to clouds, the absence of formal compliance regulatory body in Ghana, the fact that availability of service providers may not be sustainable, and the possibility that cost of cloud services will rise in future are among serious barriers to cloud computing adoption. Lack of trust for cloud services and systems, and lack of confidence in the ability and promise of cloud computing are weaker barriers identified. Among all barriers identified, those relating to cost and future implications are the strongest It is recommended that an attempt to formally adopt cloud computing in the selected universities requires a consideration of these challenges. Variables and constructs with higher strength are more important in terms of this consideration.