Critical Success Factors for Applying Enterprise Architecture to Cloud Computing Adoption in the Public Sector

Abstract

Public sector organisations are continuously looking for ways to redesign their information systems and operations to take advantage of technology. Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Computing are two of the most common approaches under consistently under consideration by organisations. Moreover, the two domains are becoming integral components of the Digital transformation agenda. However, existing literature shows that most research focuses on studying Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Computing as separate domains despite their fast convergence. This study presents findings from considering the converged critical success factors of applying Enterprise Architecture to cloud computing adoption in the public sector. The research deployed a modified Delphi technique to identify essential elements of success from twenty-one experts based in Korea and Botswana. The study utilised Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) and cohesion analysis on factors identified by experts to propose a novel factor classification model composed of Service Design, EA Capability, Organisation and Economic factors. The findings further showed that Organisational and Economic factors exhibit a moderating effect on Cloud Computing adoption. The study contributes practical implications for researchers, policymakers and practitioners in the domains of Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Computing.