Abstract:
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face numerous challenges in identification, setting up and making use of information technology (IT) as an enabler for business. Cloud computing could solve this problem by offering ready and low cost of entry IT solutions. Adoption of cloud computing among SMEs in developing countries is, however, low due to a number of barriers such as the investment capital required for setting up and maintaining ICT. This study attempts to investigate the level of cloud computing adoption by SMEs within Nairobi County in Kenya. To realize this, a survey using a questionnaire titled ‘Questionnaire on use of Cloud-Based Services by SMEs’ was conducted with a convenience sample of 45 SMEs in Nairobi County. The instrument was found to be reliable with Cronbach alpha of 0.903. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23 with descriptive and correlation analysis being the preferred methods for analysis. The results show that email and website services are widespread, however, cloud-based business applications adoption is particularly low. Therefore, the Kenyan Government should develop frameworks deliberately crafted to promote the adoption of cloud computing by SMEs in Kenya.
