Table of Continue

Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1
Table of Figures …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Chapter 1: Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
1.1 Background ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
1.2 Research Objectives …………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
1.3 Research Question ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 11
1.4 Scope and limitations of the research ……………………………………………………………… 11
1.5 The organisation of the dissertation ……………………………………………………………….. 12
1.6 Contributions of the research ………………………………………………………………………… 13
Chapter 2: Literature Review ……………………………………………………………………………………… 15
2.2 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
2.3 Small Medium Enterprises ……………………………………………………………………………. 16
2.3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
2.3.2 Identifying the SME ………………………………………………………………………………. 17
2.3.3 SMEs in Ireland ……………………………………………………………………………………. 18
2.3.4 Competitive Advantage …………………………………………………………………………. 21
2.4 Cloud Computing ………………………………………………………………………………………… 22
2.4.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
2.4.2 Inflection Point……………………………………………………………………………………… 23
2.4.3 Explaining the Cloud …………………………………………………………………………….. 24
2.4.4 Strategic Choices ………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
2.4.5 Irish Perspective ……………………………………………………………………………………. 29
2.5 Technology Adoption …………………………………………………………………………………… 32
2.5.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
2.5.2 Lifecycle Choices ………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
2.5.3 Value Proposition………………………………………………………………………………….. 36
2.5.4 Frameworks………………………………………………………………………………………….. 38
2.5.5 Vendor Support …………………………………………………………………………………….. 41
Chapter 3: Research Methodology and Methods …………………………………………………………… 44
3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 44
3.2 Research Methodology …………………………………………………………………………………. 45
3.3 Research Philosophy ……………………………………………………………………………………. 46
3.4 Research Approach ……………………………………………………………………………………… 47
3.5 Research Strategy ………………………………………………………………………………………… 48
3.6 Research Choice ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 50
3.7 Time Horizons …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 51
3.8 Sampling…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 52
3.9 Data Collection ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 56
3.10 Data Analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………… 58
3.11 Reliability and Validity …………………………………………………………………………….. 60
3.12 Ethics ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 62
Chapter 4: Findings …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 64
4.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 64
4.2 Data Collection ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 64
4.3 Data Analysis ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 65
4.4 Findings ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 67
4.4.1 Organisational Maturity …………………………………………………………………………. 67
4.4.2 Decision Frameworks ……………………………………………………………………………. 69
4.4.3 Vendor Relationships …………………………………………………………………………….. 69
4.4.4 Technology Effect …………………………………………………………………………………. 70
4.4.5 Environmental Support ………………………………………………………………………….. 71
4.4.6 Ireland Effect ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 72
4.4.7 SME Focus …………………………………………………………………………………………… 73
4.4.8 Strategic Viewpoint ………………………………………………………………………………. 75
4.4.9 Lifecycle Alignment ……………………………………………………………………………… 76
4.4.10 Clear Benefit ………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
4.4.11 Commercial Opportunities ……………………………………………………………………… 77
Chapter 5: Discussion ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 79
5.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 79
5.2 Irish SME Advantage …………………………………………………………………………………… 79
5.3 Understanding Value ……………………………………………………………………………………. 80
5.4 Government Support ……………………………………………………………………………………. 82
5.5 Strategic Choice ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 83
5.6 Organisational Approach ………………………………………………………………………………. 84
5.7 Industry Influence ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 85
Chapter 6: Conclusions ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 87
6.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 87
6.2 Irish Advantage …………………………………………………………………………………………… 87
6.3 Understanding Value ……………………………………………………………………………………. 88
6.4 Strategic Choice ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 88
6.5 Organisational Approach ………………………………………………………………………………. 89
6.6 Industry Influence ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 89
Chapter 7: Self Reflection ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 91
7.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 91
7.2 Management Skills ………………………………………………………………………………………. 92
7.3 Research Skills ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 93
7.4 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 95
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 97
Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 104
Appendix 1 Respondent Contact …………………………………………………………………………… 104
Appendix 2 Interview Guide …………………………………………………………………………………. 105
Appendix 3 Interview Consent Form ……………………………………………………………………… 108
Appendix 4 Findings Matrix …………………………………………………………………………………. 109
Appendix 5 Personal SWOT Analysis ……………………………………………………………………. 113