Effects of Technology Context on Cloud Computing Adoption in Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya

For most developing nations, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the quest to militate against the vagaries of poverty and stimulate growth and development. However SMEs continue to face a number of challenges as a result of stiff competition and rapid evolvement in the contemporary business market. Against a background of stiff competition and turbulent business environments, ICT solutions have the ability to enhance SMEs competitiveness leading to efficiency and effectiveness for business sustainability. This study sought to investigate the effects of technology context on cloud computing adoption in SMEs in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study employed a positivism approach and utilized an explanatory research design using the Innovation Diffusion Theory as a theoretical basis. The study sample comprised 398 respondents drawn from Nairobi County. Data that was collected through pre-tested structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results from regression model showed that technological context exhibited a positive and significant effect on the level of adoption of cloud computing (1= 0.414, <0.05). This study demonstrates that technology context and its attendant aspects (relative advantage, compatibility and complexity), significantly influence cloud computing adoption. The author recommend that stakeholders in the SMEs field should strive to ensure that their efforts to improve on cloud computing adoption are guided by the technological context of cloud computing.