Critical Factors for Personal Cloud Storage Adoption in China

Purpose： In order to explain and predict the adoption of personal cloud storage, this study explores the critical factors involved in the adoption of personal cloud storage and empirically validates their relationships to a user＇s intentions.Design/methodology/approach： Based on technology acceptance model（TAM）, network externality, trust, and an interview survey, this study proposes a personal cloud storage adoption model. We conducted an empirical analysis by structural equation modeling based on survey data obtained with a questionnaire.Findings： Among the adoption factors we identified, network externality has the salient influence on a user＇s adoption intention, followed by perceived usefulness, individual innovation, perceived trust, perceived ease of use, and subjective norms. Cloud storage characteristics are the most important indirect factors, followed by awareness to personal cloud storage and perceived risk. However, although perceived risk is regarded as an important factor by other cloud computing researchers, we found that it has no significant influence. Also, subjective norms have no significant influence on perceived usefulness. This indicates that users are rational when they choose whether to adopt personal cloud storage.Research limitations： This study ignores time and cost factors that might affect a user＇s intention to adopt personal cloud storage.Practical implications： Our findings might be helpful in designing and developing personal cloud storage products, and helpful to regulators crafting policies.Originality/value： This study is one of the first research efforts that discuss Chinese users＇ personal cloud storage adoption, which should help to further the understanding of personal cloud adoption behavior among Chinese users.

Near is more:learning efficiency in research and development innovation among interlocking firms

Research question/issue:This study examines whether geographic proximity produces a proximity preference as interlocking firms observe each other and learn innovative behaviors through information transmission among interlocking directors.Research findings/insights:We study the performance of A-share-listed companies in China from 2007 to 2017 on the basis of resource dependence theory,agglomeration effect theory,and Porter’s competitive theory.When target firms learn about research and development–related innovation behaviors from interlocking firms closer to them,they experience more efficient learning effects and have improved convergent traits.Moreover,this proximity advantage increases the willingness of the target firm to communicate with and learn from interlocking firms closer to them.Highly developed areas and research and development–intensive industries positively affect the learning efficiency of interlocking firms.Theoretical/academic implications:Our conclusion is consistent with resource dependence theory;target firms in highly developed areas are more willing to imitate and study nearby interlocking firms to maintain their peer relations,innovation potential,and competitiveness.Our conclusion is also consistent with competition theory,which states that the exchange of information between target firms in highly research and development–intensive industries and distant interlocking firms increases innovation differentiation,innovation potential,and competitiveness,even when such exchange has a high cost.Practitioner/policy implications:The results support resource dependence theory and peers’effects.The information obtained by interlocking directorates through external social relations guides firm decision-making,and closer distances reveal more obvious effects.