Green Cloud Computing and its implications in SMEs: Enabler or constraint for sustainability

This research paper explores the impact of cloud computing on SMEs and identifies the restraints that can affect their sustainability. Mixed research methodology is used to collect both primary and secondary data. The secondary data includes past research works, newspaper & magazine articles, government publications, and case studies. The primary quantitative data is collected through an online survey. The paper concludes with potential solutions to mitigate the identified restraints.

Running head: RESEARCH ON CLOUD COMPUTING
RESEARCH IN CLOUD COMPUTING
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

Table of Contents
Problem Statement.....................................................................................................................2
Research aims and Objectives....................................................................................................2
Methodology..............................................................................................................................3
Secondary Data Source and Data Analysis................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................5

Title: “Green Cloud Computing and its implications in SMEs: Enabler or constraint for
sustainability”
Problem Statement
Scholars, researchers, real-world implications and several other means are available
that acts as witnesses for the benefits that cloud computing can offer in business
organisations1. However, the benefits are often restrained by the certain requirements to
operate the subject (cloud computing) in a business environment and the restrains in
discussion are often witnessed in SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). Hence, it would be
justified to state that there are issues that restraint the adoption of Cloud computing in the
SMEs2. The cases of Cloudflare, Dropbox and other cases are available that are the most
prominent examples of cloud computing failures and how they impacted the small users
adversely3. Hence, the problem statement of the paper is that there are restraints that are
developed post adoption of the cloud computing and how they can affect the sustainability of
SMEs.
Research aims and Objectives
i. O1-To identify the impact that CC is capable of citing on the SMEs.
ii. O2-The restraints that can cite problems post adoption of the cloud services.
iii. O3-To identify the impact of those restraints if not met adequately.
iv. O4-To identify potential solutions to mitigate the identified restraints.
1 D.J. Collins and K.P. Lam, "Selling The Cloud To Smaller Business Organisations" [2014] Journal of Cloud
Computing.
2 Jayalaxmi P. Shetty and H. Kiran Kumar, "Cloud Computing: An Exploratory Study On Adoption Among
SME Clusters In Bangalore And Mysore" (2015) 8(S4) Indian Journal of Science and Technology.
3 Mazin Yousif, "Cloud Computing Reliability—Failure Is An Option" (2018) 5(3) IEEE Cloud Computing.

Methodology
Mixed research methodology is selected that consists of both the primary and
secondary data collection method4. The secondary data will take account of the past research
works, newspaper & magazine articles, government publications, case studies and similar
other means5. While the primary quantitative data will be collected through an online survey
which will include distribution of a questionnaire to cloud computing professionals and
individuals associated with SMEs6.
Secondary Data Source and Data Analysis
The section above has stated the use of secondary data source and the prominent
sources from where the data will be collected. However, it should also be noted that different
sources of secondary data will be used to fulfil different aims of the paper and they have been
listed below.
O1: To fulfil the 1st objective the data will be collected from literature review and the
government publications that cites the adoption ratio and impact of CC on SMEs.
O2: Newspaper & magazine articles, case studies and other scholarly work to identify the
restrains.
The third and fourth objective will take assistance of all the secondary sources along
with the primary data to attain their completion.
4 Rebecca E. Johnson, Amy L. Grove and Aileen Clarke, "Pillar Integration Process: A Joint Display Technique
To Integrate Data In Mixed Methods Research" [2017] Journal of Mixed Methods Research.
5 Aleda Roth et al, "The Use Of Secondary Source Data For Measuring Performance In Operations Management
Research" [2013] SSRN Electronic Journal.
6 Francesca Refsum Jensenius, "The Fieldwork Of Quantitative Data Collection" (2014) 47(02) PS: Political
Science & Politics.

The data collected from both the means will be analysed and summarised with
assistance of the statistical tool such as MS Excel7. Additionally, to conclude on the abstract
data, critical thinking and brainstorming will be done by the author of the proposed work.
7 Stella Hrehova, "Introduction To MS Excel Advanced Techniques Via E-Learning" (2017) 4(1) New Trends
and Issues Proceedings on Humanities and Social Sciences.

References
Collins, D.J. and K.P. Lam, "Selling The Cloud To Smaller Business Organisations" [2014]
Journal of Cloud Computing
Hrehova, Stella, "Introduction To MS Excel Advanced Techniques Via E-Learning" (2017)
4(1) New Trends and Issues Proceedings on Humanities and Social Sciences
Jensenius, Francesca Refsum, "The Fieldwork Of Quantitative Data Collection" (2014)
47(02) PS: Political Science & Politics
Johnson, Rebecca E., Amy L. Grove and Aileen Clarke, "Pillar Integration Process: A Joint
Display Technique To Integrate Data In Mixed Methods Research" [2017] Journal of Mixed
Methods Research
Roth, Aleda et al, "The Use Of Secondary Source Data For Measuring Performance In
Operations Management Research" [2013] SSRN Electronic Journal
Shetty, Jayalaxmi P. and H. Kiran Kumar, "Cloud Computing: An Exploratory Study On
Adoption Among SME Clusters In Bangalore And Mysore" (2015) 8(S4) Indian Journal of
Science and Technology
Yousif, Mazin, "Cloud Computing Reliability—Failure Is An Option" (2018) 5(3) IEEE
Cloud Computing