The Impact of Setting up a Cloud Computing Solution on Small and Medium Organization’s Management: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

As we know, organizations are systems that affect their surrounding environment and get involved with their environment. Any changes can impact the outcome of any operation and decision in the organization, no matter how small it is or how irrelevant, from the most straightforward operation or process to the most complicated functions and strategic decisions. Migrating to cloud computing is one of the most important enterprise goals. This technology impacts the use of information and communication profoundly. Its main goal is to provide data storage and net computing services that are secure, rapid, and convenient. In this sense, the small and medium enterprise is the most interested since initial investments are avoided, and the technology allows gradual implementation. The present study aims to introduce the advantages of implementing cloud computing in small and medium enterprises. This paper studies cloud computing and its impact on the organization, which was carried out using a qualitative methodology to show the elements that may get impacted the most and the consequences of its adoption. By interviewing 13 managers and experts from four small and medium companies. Qualitative content analysis and open coding were used to analyze the data. Subsequently, five sub-themes were extracted from the central theme of the impact of cloud implementation on operational management in organizations. The sub-themes included information access, communication, collaborative work, and customer and supplier relationships. We found out that migrating into the cloud for organizations is primarily beneficial, with some exceptions, of course, any system or any technology has flaws, but in the case of the cloud technology, the benefits are more cover the flaws, especially if the implementation was well planned and well maintained, and we provide all the conditions needed for the good functioning of this technology.