Exploring a Defense Agency’s Organizational Barriers and Determinants to Cloud Migration: A Qualitative Single Case Study
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Authors
Fahmy, Meena
Issue Date
2025-10
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Cloud Migration , Diffusion of Innovation , Cloud computing , Business, Engineering, Science, & Technological Innovation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Government mandates require agencies to migrate agency data from an on-premise data center to the cloud because of the several benefits cloud computing offers. Cloud migration can be a complex and difficult undertaking for organizations; however, the potential benefits of migrating are substantial and could save taxpayers billions of dollars. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to identify how the barriers and determinants influence the migration of data from an on-premise data center to the cloud within a defense agency. The study used a combination of two models to guide the framework: the technology, organizational, and environment model and the diffusion of innovation. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 participants who were credentialed to speak at an expert level about barriers and determinants encountered during an effort to migrate a defense agency’s data to the cloud. The target population included defense agency employees directly participating in cloud migration activities, policy, and decisions. A total of 25 participants was identified based on their direct involvement and expertise with the cloud migration effort, and based on those parameters, a solicitation email was sent to the entire pool to volunteer their time to be interviewed. Interviews were conducted using Microsoft Teams. Transcriptions and recording features were utilized to capture transcripts. A software named Dedoose was used to organize and analyze data for thematic analysis. The study’s results indicated that barriers or determinants that influenced cloud migration for the defense agency included a lack of training, planning, interdepartmental communications, processes, top management messaging, a lack of framework, unwillingness to accept change, and migration benefits. Interview data suggested how each determinant and barrier influenced the migration effort. Organizational leaders could incorporate the results of this study into the strategy of their cloud migration efforts. The study’s results have the potential to save costs and avoid significant delays. Researchers can build on this study in several ways; for example, exploring different conceptual or theoretical frameworks to study the problem or consider studying the problem in the context of other organizational units.