This research paper assesses complexity in cloud computing adoption, using the context of the local government sector in Australia. The research utilized both cloud computing adoption literature and an Information Systems Complexity Framework to propose a complexity assessment model for cloud computing adoption. A mixed method approach was used in this research. Firstly, we conducted 21 indepth interviews with IT managers in the local governments in Australia to obtain their insights into the complexity of cloud computing adoption. Secondly, a quantitative method is used in which 480 IT staff from 47 local governments responded to an online survey to validate the proposed assessment model. The findings indicate that structural complexity of an organization (i.e., knowledge management), structural complexity of technology (i.e., technology interoperability, and data processing capability), dynamic complexity of an organization (i.e., business operations), and dynamic complexity of technology (i.e., systems integration, IT infrastructure update, and customization resources) are critical complexity aspects to be considered during cloud computing adoption. These findings provide important implications for both researchers and managers that are trying to understand the complexities involved in cloud computing adoption.

本研究报告使用澳大利亚当地政府部门的背景评估了云计算采用的复杂性。该研究利用云计算采用文献和信息系统复杂性框架来提出云计算采用的复杂性评估模型。在这项研究中使用了一种混合方法。首先，我们对澳大利亚地方政府的IT经理进行了21次深度访谈，以获取他们对采用云计算的复杂性的见解。其次，使用了一种定量方法，来自47个地方政府的480名IT人员对在线调查进行了答复，以验证所提议的评估模型。研究结果表明，组织的结构复杂性（即知识管理），技术的结构复杂性（即 技术互操作性和数据处理能力），组织的动态复杂性（即业务运营）和技术的动态复杂性（即系统集成，IT基础结构更新和定制资源）是在云计算期间要考虑的关键复杂性方面采用。这些发现对试图了解云计算采用复杂性的研究人员和管理人员都具有重要意义。