INVESTIGATING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE ADOPTION OF CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of cloud computing technologies among undergraduates in Nigerian universities, utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a theoretical framework. The research focuses on key constructs including Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), and Financial Constraints (FC), alongside external variables such as Institutional Support and Security Concerns. A quantitative approach was employed, with data collected through a structured questionnaire titled Adoption of Cloud Computing Technologies Questionnaire (ACCTQ) distributed to participants across various universities. The analysis revealed significant direct effects on Behavioral Intention (BI) to adopt cloud computing technologies. Financial Constraints exhibited the strongest influence (β = .65, p < .001), followed by Perceived Ease of Use (β = .24, p < .001) and Perceived Usefulness (β = .14, p < .001). Notably, PEOU emerged as a significant predictor of PU (β = .31, p < .001), indicating that ease of use enhances perceptions of usefulness. Conversely, Institutional Support and Security Concerns did not show significant effects on BI. The model explained 54.6% of the variance in Behavioral Intention, highlighting the critical role of financial resources and usability in technology adoption decisions. The findings suggest that addressing financial constraints and improving user experience are essential for enhancing the adoption of cloud computing technologies in Nigerian higher education institutions. This study contributes to the understanding of cloud technology adoption in educational contexts and provides recommendations for policymakers and university administrators to facilitate the effective integration of cloud solutions into academic frameworks.