Since the objective of this study was in some way to also ultimately develop theoretical propositions to support SMMEs in South Africa to work better with agile development methodologies in cloud computing adoption, it was critical that the researcher first expand his knowledge of both the current information system context and the challenges that information system practitioners are grappling with. Through literature review analysis the researcher gained substantial insights into the software development context in South Africa. Through the survey and later interviews the researcher gained even more insights and appreciation of some of the inherent and at times subtle challenges that makes it difficult for SMMEs or small organisations to adopt and migrate to cloud computing. The process of data analysis from the open coding up to the selective coding provided a lot of learning and generation of new knowledge (formulation of theoretical propositions). It is against this in-depth understanding, and expanded knowledge that the researcher developed the propositions outlined below. Each
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of the propositions constitutes new thinking and insight, making these propositions one of the two main contributions that this research has made to the field of information systems and ICT in general.
6.2.1 Supportive environment
Based on the understanding that the environment context, as outlined in chapter five Section 5.3 as shaped by relational interactions between and amongst factors such as resources availability, market scope, industry and supplier effort and external computing support, plays a key role in hindering or promoting adoption and use growth. It is therefore important that all players double their efforts to create an enabling environment for SMMEs to adopt and utilise new ICT technologies. The observation that SMMEs in South Africa have taken a leading role in adoption of cloud computing services and technologies even make it more critical that some of the challenges that are inherent in the environment within which they work be given attention. For instance SMMEs who are using agile development methodologies require full support from external entities.
Creating a supportive environment in the context of ICT technologies and their adoption entails that;
affordable and reliable communication network infrastructure is put in place, Resources availability and access is improved
Policy frameworks and strategies are put in place to regulate and enhance security and reliability aspects of ICT services and operations
Localisation of data centers is done to increase availability and reliability of cloud services.
An environment that is stimulative and enabling of ICT is therefore unarguably imperative if the current growth in adoption and use of cloud computing services by SMMEs in South Africa is to be sustained and even increased.
6.2.2 Development Practices
Agile development practitioners at SMME level should translate theoretical claims into practice especially the need for cultural harmonisation. This came out strongly during in this study. This study observed that many ICT practitioners even though theoretically well versed with agile development practices often struggle to put their knowledge into practice. Very few implements agile development practices according to the required principles. This observation explains the reason why it is extremely difficult to find good agile development practices in South Africa, more so at SMME level.
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It is therefore important that both the private sector and government invest more in capacity building and professional development first and foremost targeting SMMEs. The kind of training envisaged must be able to transcend theory and practice making sure that users knowledge of agile development translate into good practices. Much of the benefits and relative advantage of using agile and cloud computing services can only be realised through good practices. The uncertainty and scepticism that currently prevail amongst SMMEs on the use of agile and cloud computing services can also be understood as linked to their limited abilities to use the technologies in ways that provide direct benefits.
6.2.3 Creativity, innovation and size of organisation
It was also observed that smaller organisations tend to be more creative and innovative especially when they adopt cloud tools and frameworks such as DevOps that support agile development practices. This observation is very important and has diverse implications for promoting on-going growth in adoption and use of agile development methodologies and cloud computing services by SMMEs in South Africa. However the problem that seemed to be coming out in this study, regarding the creativity and innovativeness of smaller organisations is that often they get bought off by bigger companies. This observation can be understood as a direct outcome of the interrelationship between industry and market scope where, as already discussed in chapter five Section 5.3, most organisations involved in agile development are part of the software development market scope resulting in the major players having influence on smaller organisations.
The sad thing about this scenario is that at times efforts from external service providers to assist smaller companies are frustrated or contradicted by the market scope involving large and international corporate organisations. Software development industry market scope should not contradict efforts from service providers who are in support of smaller organisations.
Hence it is important, as also already stipulated in section 6.2.1, that regulatory frameworks must be put in place to control and minimise the possible buy-outs by bigger or multinational corporations. The framework to be presented later in this chapter needs to also speak to such contextual ICT challenges that are inherent in South Africa if it is going to have any impact. And that may entail carefully interrogating the interrelationships between market scope, size
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of organisation and industry and model the relational interactions in ways that are supportive to SMMEs using agile development in South Africa.
6.2.4 Resource availability and support infrastructure
Resource availability such as reliable cloud computing infrastructure and services is a critical factor in the adoption process. Therefore the observed lack of support infrastructure and reliable services provision within the ICT sector in South Africa is having a negative effect on SMMEs’ perceptions and adoption of cloud computing services. Given that successful use of agile development methodologies and cloud computing services requires infrastructure such as data centres, and services like internet means that if not addressed the current lack of support infrastructure, limited bandwidth and the expensive connectivity will continue to bring about uncertainty and anxiety amongst “would be users” especially SMMEs in South Africa. Current internet service provision in South Africa tends to arguably disadvantage small organisations in the use of cloud environment. This is because of the unreliability of the services, high costs involved, the limited bandwidth and their failure to guarantee security and disaster recovery.
Also linked to the problems of limited resources is that in spite of increased research in addressing cloud services lock-in concerns, an open and compatible development environment has not been provided especially to SMMEs who have limited capacities in resources.
Important to note here is that government must invest more in ICT support infrastructure and service providers should increase their capacity to provide reliable and accessible ICT services. Attention must also be given to improving compatibility and inter-operability through open development architectures, within the ICT infrastructure and service industry. Compatibility and inter-operability has the potential to stimulate growth in agile and cloud computing adoptions and use
Further to that communication strategies aimed at facilitating reliable resource availability and accelerated geo-restriction technologies that can also improve resource availability must be put in place.
6.2.5 Prior knowledge and experience
It is important that ICT practitioners are well versed with agile methodology practices before even moving to the cloud. Prior knowledge is essential in adapting to the innovative cloud environment. It also arguably enhances user’s ability to appreciate and manage issues around
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compatibility. It also came out strongly that SMMEs who had prior knowledge were less uncertain about the adoption of new technologies such as agile methodologies and migrating to cloud computing environments.
Prior knowledge also increases relative advantage since no additional overheads are needed. However it is important to, as already pointed out in chapter five, note that prior knowledge and experience of technology does not on its’ own always translate into adoptions of all new technologies. Thus the interrelationship between prior knowledge and experience and the many other factors influencing the adoption processes must be viewed and worked with cautiously. For instance prior knowledge on its own, without top management support and adequate resources availability may not produce any meaningful impact on the growth of agile and cloud computing adoptions amongst SMMEs in South Africa. An integrated and holistic approach is therefore needed across the entire ICT spectrum of players and users.