Factors influencing cloud computing adoption in Yemen higher education institutions

Cloud-based technology, which is now well established, helps reducing costs and providing accessibility, reliability and flexibility. However, the Yemen Higher educational system has not yet embraced cloud computing due to security and privacy concerns, lack of trust, negative cultural attitudes (i.e. tribalism), and most importantly, little digital devices experience in educational settings as well as lack of knowledge and technical know-how. Thus, this study proposes a conceptual model of cloud computing (CC) adoption in Yemen HEIs by investigating the influence of Technology, Organization and Environment (TOE) factors. In addition, this study investigates the moderating effect of tribalism culture in the relationships between the identified factors and CC adoption. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A preliminary study through semi-structured interviews with ten (10) participants from top management of HEIs to refine and confirm the proposed model. The quantitative
approach was used to determine the factors that influence CC adoption in Yemen HEIs through a questionnaire survey. Data were collected from 328 respondents in 38 HEIs and analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results showed that relative advantage, reliability, compatibility, security, technology readiness, top management support, regulatory policy and competitive pressure have a positive significant impact on CC adoption. However, tribalism culture has a negative significant impact towards CC adoption. The study also found that tribalism culture moderates the relationship between compatibility, reliability, security, relative advantage, regulatory policy and CC adoption. This study contributes to TOE model adoption by including the cultural factor as a moderator towards CC adoption in Yemen HEIs. The study also provides a model and insights for HEIs, technology consultants, vendors and policy makers in better understanding of the factors that influence CC adoption in least developed countries (LDCs), specifically, Yemen.