The Impact of Cloud Management Platforms on Nonprofit Business Models

Abstract

Nonprofits are increasingly using business rhetoric, practices, and systems to create sustainable business models and remain attentive to social needs and stakeholder expectations in a depleted and suppressed economy. One such system of business appropriating is in the information technology and management space, which can help nonprofits operate efficiently in a cloud environment. There is a need for scholarly work devoted to understanding cloud-based control and management within nonprofit organization systems and environments. Given the dearth of exploratory work, this study examines how cloud management platforms are used in nonprofits and considers how they influence operations and nonprofit business models. Findings reveal that cloud management platforms help nonprofits create or optimize operations and improve internal and external relationships with stakeholders, often impacting business strategy by mission fulfillment and program needs. Recommendations for consideration of cloud management platforms are made based on criteria comparison of nonprofit purpose, structure, size, and data management needs.

Keywords:

• AWS
• Azure
• cloud-based management platforms
• nonprofit business models

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge Penn State Harrisburg colleagues Göktuğ Morçöl, Ph.D. and Dan Mallinson, Ph.D. for their input on the conceptual dynamic systems model, as well as Penn State Harrisburg doctoral student Yulin Xu for his assistance during document analysis. In addition, the author wishes to acknowledge Justin Azevedo for his expertise on data base systems and performance.

Disclosure statement

The author declares that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that influence the work reported in this paper.