Location

Velodromo - N17

Start Date

12-16-2013

Description

Cloud service certifications (CSCs) gain increasing attention in practice as a measure against the prevailing uncertainties of cloud computing, but demand efforts for passing audit requirements. However, research findings on certifications' effectiveness are inconclusive. This research-in-progress paper develops a research model to evaluate CSCs' effects on two certification outcomes suggested by trust theory and signaling theory - trust and price premiums - while also accounting for trust in certification authority, reputation, personal relevance of using cloud services and self-provided assurance statements. Compared to extant research on certifications, which primarily focuses on privacy and security in e-commerce, CSCs address a novel product category and provide assurances beyond privacy and security, such as availability and interoperability. Furthermore, by investigating price premiums, we focus on a widely neglected certification outcome. Thus, we expect our model to contribute to a deeper understanding of the contextual conditions under which certifications are effective signals and trust-assurances.

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Dec 16th, 12:00 AM

Does Pain Result in Gain? Assessing Cloud Service Certifications' Effectiveness

Velodromo - N17

Cloud service certifications (CSCs) gain increasing attention in practice as a measure against the prevailing uncertainties of cloud computing, but demand efforts for passing audit requirements. However, research findings on certifications' effectiveness are inconclusive. This research-in-progress paper develops a research model to evaluate CSCs' effects on two certification outcomes suggested by trust theory and signaling theory - trust and price premiums - while also accounting for trust in certification authority, reputation, personal relevance of using cloud services and self-provided assurance statements. Compared to extant research on certifications, which primarily focuses on privacy and security in e-commerce, CSCs address a novel product category and provide assurances beyond privacy and security, such as availability and interoperability. Furthermore, by investigating price premiums, we focus on a widely neglected certification outcome. Thus, we expect our model to contribute to a deeper understanding of the contextual conditions under which certifications are effective signals and trust-assurances.