Title: Cloud-enabled business transformation: a proposed framework

Authors: David Chien-Liang Kuo; Yen-Kuan Wu; Yu-Te Chen; Norr Yi-Ling Wei

Addresses: Department of Information Management, School of Continuing Education, Chinese Culture University, 231, Sec. 2, Chien-Kuo S. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. ' Industrial Economics and Knowledge Centre (IEK), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), 195, Sec. 4, Chung Hsing Rd., Chutung, Hsinchu, Taiwan. ' Industrial Economics and Knowledge Centre (IEK), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), 195, Sec. 4, Chung Hsing Rd., Chutung, Hsinchu, Taiwan. ' Industrial Economics and Knowledge Centre (IEK), Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), 195, Sec. 4, Chung Hsing Rd., Chutung, Hsinchu, Taiwan

Abstract: The emergence of various cloud computing (CC) applications and business models spotlights the concept of 'everything as a service (aaS)' and the role of CC on business. From the very nature, CC is believed to drive IT-enabled services and business paradigm shift, owing to its key features. However, current practice and studies put their focus mainly on evolutionary business changes; less is on revolutionary ones. To bridge the gap, this study emphasises on whether and how CC serves as a transformation enabler. A conceptual framework is proposed based on literature and interviews. Four types of cloud-enabled business transformation are identified based on two dimensions namely 'newness of product/service offering' and 'reliance of current value/supply chain'. The corresponding driving forces, goals, concerns and impacts are also explored. The framework is believed helpful in understanding the potential impacts and patterns of CC on fundamental change of future industries.

Keywords: cloud computing; internet; world wide web; web browsers; computers; mobile technologies; cellular communications; technology innovation; ITES; information technology; enabled services; business transformation; business models; everything as a service; EaaS; XaaS; aaS; software components; networks; paradigm shifts; evolutionary business changes; revolutionary business changes; transformation enablers; product newness; service offerings; current value; SCM; supply chain management; driving forces; goals; concerns; potential impacts; potential patterns; fundamental change; future industries; technology marketing; innovation; markets; long-term positions; sustainable positions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTMKT.2012.046913

International Journal of Technology Marketing, 2012 Vol.7 No.2, pp.209 - 224

Received: 20 Dec 2011
Accepted: 06 Mar 2012

Published online: 29 Aug 2014 *

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