SMEs in developing countries: modeling environmental and organizational factors in cloud computing adoption (CCA)

The purpose of this paper is to identify and map the interrelationships of major organizational and environmental determinants affecting cloud computing adoption in Jordanian Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). Based on an extensive literature review and expert input, 11 key factors were identified, including ‘Top Management Support and Commitment’, ‘Awareness of Cloud Computing’, ‘Prior Technology Experience’, ‘Technological Readiness’, ‘Organizational Innovativeness’, ‘Type of Industry’, ‘Financial Readiness’, ‘Competitive Pressure’, ‘Regulations and Policies’, and ‘Cloud Computing Service Provider Availability and Competencies’. The ISM technique was then applied to systematically analyze the hierarchical structure and interdependencies among these factors. The ISM model revealed that all of the studied factors significantly affect cloud adoption, particularly ‘Prior technology experience’, ‘Technological readiness’, ‘Competitive pressure’, and ‘Cloud computing service provider availability and competencies’. The analysis also mapped the contextual relationships among the factors, offering a structured understanding of how they influence one another. This study provides helpful perceptions for managers, policymakers, and IT strategists aiming to implement cloud computing. Understanding the interdependencies can support more effective planning and adoption strategies tailored to the Jordanian business environment.