The Economic and Social Factors in the Adoption of Cloud Computing

This portfolio includes an analysis of the social and economic influences and impacts of the adoption of Cloud Computing. This analysis is completed using the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) framework, which looks at how technology is socially constructed with a particular emphasis on analyzing the different relevant social groups. The application of this theory helps to illuminate the social and economic nature of cloud computing helping to respond to the research question. Looking at each of these social groups and their relative impact helps to understand the decisions made by corporations. The final analysis of the current state of cloud computing shows how organizations have been convinced of cost-savings that may not always be realized despite the claims made by major cloud providers. This research is helpful not only in analyzing the development of cloud computing, but also in analyzing how companies respond to emerging technologies in general.

During the summer of 2023, I worked at Capital One as a software engineering intern as part of a team within the Cyber department. The project that I completed during this internship is the subject of the technical report. This project informed my interest in the research topic I worked on for the STS research paper. The skills I acquired during my development experience as part of the internship helped me to understand the purpose of cloud computing and what using cloud tools looks like for a developer. Indeed, when analyzing the different relevant social groups, I discuss the many social groups which include the developer. In researching this topic, I have been able to zoom out from the developer standpoint to take a look at the bigger picture of cloud computing as a whole, looking at how my opinions and experiences are just some of many that inform the overall view and, therefore, future of cloud computing.