Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Cloud Computing in Hospitals in Southern Iran Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

Recently, healthcare organizations use advanced information technologies such as cloud computing (CC) to reduce costs and increase productivity. Since the level of technology acceptance plays an essential role in technology success or failure, this study aims to assess the factors affecting the acceptance of CC by the staff of teaching hospitals in Hormozgan, Iran.

This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design that was conducted in 2021. Participants were 285 staff of three teaching hospitals affiliated to Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, who were selected using stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability (Cronbach’s α=0.88). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 24 using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation test. Also, the effect of the factors was calculated in LISREL software.

The history of using CC had a significant impact on the behavioral intention and usage behavior (P<0.001). In addition, the relationship of social influence, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, and performance expectancy with usage behavior and behavioral intention to use CC was significant, and their impact was higher on the behavioral intention of staff

Individual awareness and knowledge, relevant organizational conditions, and the necessary infrastructure are the key factors in the acceptance of cloud computing by the staff of teaching hospitals in Hormozgan, Iran.