Description:
<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>Using a unique dataset obtained from cloud computing providers' websites, we study cloud computing from the cloud users' perspective. While cloud computing providers promise various benefits for companies to “go cloud,” whether user companies are motivated by the potential benefits is a different matter. Although existing IT outsourcing literature and the latest cloud computing research suggest financial, system, and control as three main motives for companies to go cloud, MIS literature and business strategy studies point out the agility of quick system deployment as another significant consideration. We examine these four categories of motives, along with more detailed key motives developed in each category. Our results indicate that companies are motivated by multifold benefits in all four aspects of agility, financial, system, and control. However, despite various benefits promised by cloud computing providers, from the cloud computing users' perspective, the agility of quick system deployment and saving on costs appear to be the two primary motives.</jats:p><jats:p>Data Availability: Data are publicly available from the sources identified in the paper.</jats:p>