Mapping the antecedents of organizational decision of adoption of cloud-computing

• Grant number: 12/06533-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Administration - Business Administration
• Principal Investigator: Otávio Próspero Sanchez
• Grantee: Otávio Próspero Sanchez
• Host Institution: Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (EAESP). Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research aims to identify the antecedents of the decision of adoption of cloud computing by organizations. Cloud computing, a peculiar form for storage and remote access of information, has been of much interest in academia, but also in managerial field, for its potential to significantly alter the capacity of infrastructure investments in information technology that organizations can do. Paradoxically, while facing benefits arising from the access to these resources achieved with lower investments, policy makers have also faced the dilemma of allowing competitors to have access to some of resources and skills possibly scarce and potential sources of sustainable competitive advantage. The main question that arises is whether cloud computing increases the complexity of investment decisions or, in contrast, simplifies this analysis by freeing resources to be employed in other resources also required by business operation. This research proposes the investigation of the elements involved in teh decision to be make when organizations consider cloud computing. As ilustrative potential of contribution, we present the results of a preliminary study conducted based on secondary data, in order to illustrate the potential of conducting the research proposed. We argue that potential contributions of conducting the research presented in this proposal involves a better theoretical explanation of the variables involved in IT investment decisions and adoption of cloud computing, and also practical implications considering managers face decision-making dilemmas in this field. (AU)