A Cynefin-Based Approach to Decision-Making in Cloud Contracts-status "submitted to JORS"

A cloud contract is an effective tool for managing uncertainty in cloud computing adoption. To make informed choices in selecting the right cloud contract type, it's crucial to consider the uncertainty factors. However, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding how these factors influence cloud contract decisions. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by leveraging the Cynefin framework to sense, analyse, and respond to the context.
This research delves into four key uncertainty factors and their impact on cloud contract decisions. The quantitative research reveals that investments in information systems and the length of agency relationships positively affect outcome-based cloud contracts but negatively impact behaviour-based cloud contracts. In contrast, task programmability has the opposite effect, impacting these contract types differently. The influence of outcome measurability on cloud contracts appears to be insignificant.
The results can significantly enhance the effectiveness of cloud contracts in cloud computing adoption. This research, utilizing the Cynefin framework, provides valuable insights into how organizations can navigate the complexity of cloud contract decisions and optimize their cloud computing strategies.