Adoption of Cloud Computing Services by Developing Country Students: An Empirical Study

This study aims to examine the factors that influence the adoption of cloud services by Saudi university students. Based on a modified Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3), a questionnaire was administered to 527 undergraduate students from two universities who were selected using stratified cluster sampling technique. The data collected from the respondents were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique. Regardless of students' Internet experience, the findings of this study show that the main determinants of behavioral intention of students to adopt cloud computing services are perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Additionally, trust and job relevance predict perceived usefulness; subjective norm predicts image; and also perceived ease of use is determined by perceptions of external control, perceived enjoyment and playfulness. These findings will guide decision makers in Saudi Arabian academic institutions on how to facilitate successful deployment of cloud computing services.