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Most governments around the world use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide services in a more effective way. Although the benefits from adopting Electronic Government (eGovernment) can be considerable, its implementation is restricted by important barriers, such as high costs (Ebrahim & Irani, 2005; Pokharel & Park, 2009; Tsaravas & Themistocleous, 2011), absence of experts (Ebrahim & Irani, 2005; Pokharel & Park, 2009), heterogeneous and incompatible information systems, and security and private issues (Ebrahim & Irani, 2005; Tsaravas & Themistocleous, 2011).
Cloud computing has recently emerged as a new paradigm in which “data and computation are operated somewhere in a cloud, which is some collection of data centers owned and maintained by a third party” (Jin et al., 2010, p.3). Cloud computing suggests that, using the internet, the organization is able to increase or decrease its computing resources depending on the actual needs (Belanger & Van Slyke, 2012, p. 130). Cloud computing includes three service models: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Computing resources that can be acquired via the cloud include software applications (SaaS model), development platforms (PaaS model) and/or storage, processing power and other technical infrastructure (IaaS model).
Scholars have shown a vivid interest in cloud computing adoption by companies. More specifically, they have tried to determine the factors that affect the decision to adopt cloud computing. Complexity, technological readiness, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure and relative advantage are among the most frequently listed determinants of cloud computing adoption (Low, Chen, & Wu, 2011; Gangwar, Date, & Ramaswamy, 2015; Hsu, Ray, & Li-Hsieh, 2014; Lin & Chen, 2012; Oliveira, Thomas, & Espadanal, 2014). The factors of cloud computing adoption usually differ depending on the context or the specific characteristics of the firm. For example, the adoption of cloud computing by SMEs is affected by additional factors such as geo-restriction, innovativeness, ease of use, convenience and external computing support (Alshamaila, Papagiannidis, & Li, 2013; Gupta, Seetharaman, & Raj, 2013). In addition, the adoption of a cloud ERP has been found to be affected by switching benefits and costs and perceived risk (Fan, Wu, Chen, & Fang, 2015).
The promising benefits of cloud computing has also led an increasing number of public sector authorities worldwide to rush on adopting it to some extent. The United States of America is the first country to even launch a cloud computing strategy. The boost of cloud computing has inevitably led academics and practitioners to investigate its overall suitability for eGovernment. However, there is still significant absence of journal articles on the topic. In addition, there are different views about how cloud computing can be implemented in an eGovernment context that range from realizing cloud computing as just a form of IT outsourcing to an evolutionary paradigm that will reform the whole structure of eGovernment. Clarifying and evaluating the different options of integrating cloud computing into eGovernment will help practitioners in road mapping and decision making. Also, it will highlight the research gaps in the area, facilitating the growth of relative literature. As Rana et al. (2011) have noted in their literature review of eGovernment research, most of the studies in the area focus on the overall growth of eGovernment in different countries, although knowledge for more specific areas of development in eGovernment at wider level is also required.