Cloud-based enterprise resource planning adoption model among small and medium sized enterprises in Iraq

• Main Author: Mohammed, Ghaith Jaafar
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QA Mathematics
• Online Access: http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/28295/; https://plh.utem.edu.my/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=124141

Cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (Cloud-based ERP) is a system of ERP software and tools that are hosted and managed offsite on the internet by cloud vendor. Cloud ERP promise to improve the reliability and scalability of IT systems, enabling enterprises to focus on core business when the movement towards the computerisation of business activities among enterprises has occurred because of the influences of globalisation and competitiveness. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) considered the main adopter of Cloud-based ERP. However, recent researches recognised a problem of dropping this technology after the adoption within short time period. This is due to SMEs decision makers’ lack of knowledge and mainly focused on the implementation technology adoption stage without considering other actions that could occur before the implementation process (e.g., adoption stage). Therefore, the proposed research investigates the critical factors that influence SMEs’ decision makers while making the decision to adopt cloud ERP. This study is designed by utilising three theoretical frameworks: Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), Technological Organisational and Environmental (TOE), and Human Organisational Technology (HOT-fit) to identify the critical factors by covering technological, organisational, environmental, and Human perspectives and recruit the developed model in the adoption stage of ERP life-cycle model. A sequential exploratory mixed methodology was employed to achieve the objectives. A sequential exploratory mixed methodology was employed to achieve the objectives. In the qualitative phase, 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted with SME’s decision makers. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. In the quantitative phase, data was collected through a self-administered online questionnaire-based survey that generated 136 valid responses from senior-to-owner level decision making practitioners. Statistical Software, SPSS and Partial Least Squares, PLS for Structural Equation Modelling were used to analyse the collected data. The results were triangulated from both qualitative and quantitative phases to reach to final conclusion. In addition, the proposed model in this study was validated and evaluated with six experts to be more effective for the adoption decision in Iraqi SMEs. The findings revealed that the developed model is valuable in explaining the adoption of the cloud ERP at organisational level. The significant findings have crucial implications and valuable contributions in the body of knowledge of technology adoption, smart computing in particular and information communication system in general. Moreover, the findings are valuable for SMEs, cloud providers, and decision makers looking to increase the adoption of cloud-based ERP systems in middle eastern countries, particularly in the Republic of Iraq.