• ISSN: 2010-023X (Print)
    • Abbreviated Title: Int. J. Trade, Economics and Financ.
    • Frequency: Quaterly
    • DOI: 10.18178/IJTEF
    • Editor-in-Chief: Prof.Tung-Zong (Donald) Chang
    • Managing Editor: Ms. Shira. W. Lu
    • Abstracting/ Indexing:  Crossref, Electronic Journals Library , EBSCO
    • E-mail: ijtef.editorial.office@gmail.com
HOME > Archive > 2014 > Volume 5 Number 1 (Feb. 2014) >
IJTEF 2014 Vol.5(1): 6-11 ISSN: 2010-023X
DOI: 10.7763/IJTEF.2014.V5.332

The Awareness of Cloud Computing: A Case Study of South African SMEs

Mpho Mohlameane and Nkqubela Ruxwana

Abstract—South African SMEs are faced with several challenges which negatively affect their growth and sustainability, such as marketing factors, financial issues, management skills and lack of investment in Information and Communication technology (ICT). The evolution of ICT solutions such as cloud computing, have the potential to counter some of the challenges that SMEs are facing. However, most technologies are not adopted due to lacking knowledge and perceptions on their potentials and value. Therefore this paper investigates the awareness of cloud computing within SMEs in South Africa. In addition, the paper identifies SMEs perceptions on cloud computing as an alternative ICT solution. The study adopted qualitative research approach, where case study research designs was used consisting of three SMEs organisation. The data was collected through interviews, expert reviews, literature and questionnaires, where a total of 19 participants were used. The findings reveals a lacking levels of cloud computing awareness, thus limited knowledge on cloud computing benefits and services. This paper concludes that the lacking awareness and understanding of cloud computing is the main cause of slow cloud computing adoption amongst SMEs in South Africa. The paper concludes by recommending methods which can be used to increase SMEs awareness of cloud computing.

Index Terms—Awareness, cloud Computing, ICT, SMEs.

M. J. Mohlameane is with the State Information Technology Agency, Erasmuskloof 0048 South Africa (e-mail: mpho.mohlameane@gmil.com).
N. L. Ruxwana is with Vodacom, Midrand 1687 South Africa (e-mail:nkqubz@yahoo.co.uk).

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Cite:Mpho Mohlameane and Nkqubela Ruxwana, "The Awareness of Cloud Computing: A Case Study of South African SMEs," International Journal of Trade, Economics and Finance vol.5, no.1, pp. 6-11, 2014.

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