The Confluence of Big Data and Cloud Computing in SME Adoption Strategies

This paper explores the adoption of cloud computing and big data technologies in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), focusing on synthesizing key factors influencing adoption. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and analyzing theoretical frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, this study proposes a novel conceptual model tailored to the unique socio-economic context of SMEs in the MENA region. The methodology includes an analysis of 30 research articles, highlighting enablers and barriers to adoption. Key contributions include a taxonomy of factors and actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners. This research addresses gaps in existing studies by providing a region-specific perspective on cloud computing and big data technologies adoption for SMEs. This strong tendency towards services provided by cloud computing is very clear, and to shape their future IT, it’s worth highlighting the existence of such technology. A synthesis of the literature on cloud computing adoption was presented in this paper classifying reviews based on factors that play an important role in taking the adoption decision incorporating the theoretical frameworks. Moreover, the relationship between big data and cloud computing has been explored. In addition to proposing a synthesized findings model, this paper includes various factors derived from the literature and related theoretical frameworks. In this paper we select research articles from broadly recognized research databases, as well as undertaking a comprehensive review of these selected articles focusing on the adoption of cloud computing and big data. It also includes a bibliography containing the most relevant publications in these domains, from 2011 to 2024. By examining 30 articles, the objectives of the paper are to analyze data derived from articles as well as to study the academic frameworks used in both developing and developed nations. Inferring this knowledge is important to the growing cloud computing market and accelerating its utilization among SMEs in the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region was the intent behind working on this paper.