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The dual roles of the government in cloud computing assimilation: an empirical study in China

Nianxin Wang (Department of Information Management, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China)
Yajiong Xue (MIS Department, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA)
Huigang Liang (East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA)
Zhining Wang (School of Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China)
Shilun Ge (Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China)

Information Technology & People

ISSN: 0959-3845

Article publication date: 14 December 2018

Issue publication date: 30 January 2019

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the government roles in cloud computing assimilation along two dimensions: government regulation and government support.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed to depict the dual roles of government regulation and government support in cloud computing assimilation as well as the mediating effect of top management support (TMS). Using survey data collected from 376 Chinese firms that have already adopted cloud services, the authors tested the research model.

Findings

The impacts of both government regulation and government support on cloud computing assimilation are partially mediated by TMS. Government support exerts stronger impacts on TMS than government regulation.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the current information systems literature by highlighting the specific mechanisms through which governments influence firms’ assimilation of cloud computing.

Practical implications

Governments in developing countries could actively allocate funds or enact policies to effectively encourage cloud computing assimilation.

Originality/value

This study would complement previous findings about government regulation, and develop a more holistic understanding about the dual roles of governments in information technology innovation assimilation.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research is partly supported by the Key Program of National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71331003) and the General Program of National Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos 71471079, 71471080, 71302140 and 71371013).

Citation

Wang, N., Xue, Y., Liang, H., Wang, Z. and Ge, S. (2019), "The dual roles of the government in cloud computing assimilation: an empirical study in China", Information Technology & People, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 147-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-01-2018-0047

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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