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Cloud Computing Usage in SMEs. An Empirical Study Based on SMEs Employees Perceptions

Author

Listed:
  • Andra-Ileana Neicu

    (Department of Marketing, Faculty of Marketing, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010404 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Anamaria-Cătălina Radu

    (Romanian Academy, Institute of National Economy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Gheorghe Zaman

    (Romanian Academy, Institute of National Economy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Ivona Stoica

    (Romanian Academy, Institute of National Economy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Florian Răpan

    (Department of Public Relations, Faculty of Communication Sciences, “Dimitrie Cantemir” Christian University, 40043 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the perception of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employees regarding the usage of cloud computing services in their activities. The quantitative study was conducted on a sample of 315 respondents employed in Romanian SMEs. Testing of the conceptual model was performed with the WarpPLS 3.0 software. The study aimed to test how several constructs—the perceived benefits, disadvantages and risks, communication process, overall experience of using cloud computing services, perceived image, and empathy regarding the cloud computing services—influence the perception of the cloud computing service quality among SMEs employees. Moreover, employees’ perception regarding the satisfaction of using cloud computing services based on the perceived quality was also tested. We concluded that the perceived benefits and disadvantages of cloud computing service usage, the perception of both the communication process and users’ experience regarding cloud computing service use, empathy, and cloud computing service image positively influence the perceived quality of the cloud computing service usage in SMEs. We did not find evidence that the perceived risks significantly influence the perceived quality of cloud computing services. Finally, we demonstrated that the perceived quality of the cloud computing services positively influences the satisfaction regarding cloud computing services among SMEs employees.

Suggested Citation

  • Andra-Ileana Neicu & Anamaria-Cătălina Radu & Gheorghe Zaman & Ivona Stoica & Florian Răpan, 2020. "Cloud Computing Usage in SMEs. An Empirical Study Based on SMEs Employees Perceptions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:12:p:4960-:d:373041
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nur Diyana Rossiman & Norzaidah Hidayah Rashid & Wardah Annadiah Ahmad Ramzuna & Mohammad Nabil Almunawar, 2021. "The Perception and Usage of Google Drive Among Higher Education Institution Students in Brunei Darussalam," International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management (IJABIM), IGI Global, vol. 12(3), pages 222-241, July.

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