Abstract:

The purpose of this article is to contribute to a growing body of research on cloud computing, by studying logistics sector in a developing country. In this study the judgement sampling method is used in determining the sample so as to get information to find out the impact of Technological, Organizational and Environmental (TOE) context factors in the adoption of cloud computing. Research has been performed through a descriptive research method. The sample size in the study represents 10 logistics firms in various sizes and the interviews are performed in September-October, 2014 in Turkey. There are a number of important findings. First of all, most of the participants are aware of the cloud computing however there are also some who do not have knowledge about cloud computing yet. The main reasons of using computing are found parallel with literature such as: competing with the continuously changing technology requirements, outsourcing IT technology related issues to experts and reducing costs. The reasons for not using cloud computing are as stated as privacy, the importance given to “data ownership”, insufficiency of service providers, privacy related risks and incompatibility with legal processes. One of the most important necessities for adopting cloud computing is realizing compatibility of technology infrastructure of firms with technological infrastructure of suppliers, stakeholders and government. Most important academic contribution is adding a new variable to Technology dimension of TOE framework. “Type of application” is a new variable in the “Technology” dimension of TOE model. Firms adopt cloud computing depending on the properties of application. Expectations are most heavily focused on service level of service providers and it is emphasized that logistics companies require special logistics applications in the clouds from service providers. The research is one of the few studies looking for the dimensions of cloud computing adoption in logistics sector in a developing country. The research both contributes to cloud computing literature and logistics literature.  

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