Abstract:

The main purpose of this article is to analyze students' understanding of the concept of cloud computing and to determine the popularity and understanding of this category. Based on previous research experiences, the authors took into consideration such methods as: comparative analysis with the results of the study of early 2018 and the CAWI method, allowing to extend previous research of cloud computing into all categories of this concept. Data was collected for the study using a special questionnaire, verified by a pilot study. This time the test was carried almost 300 people. The main finding of the research are that the students have still only a general awareness of cloud computing. Most of the answers to specific questions regarding such categories as IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, CaaS were dominated by a lack of awareness of the existence and ways of functioning of such phenomena. At the same time, it seems that even if the respondents use cloud computing services, they do not know about it. However, the awareness of the cons and pros of specific types of cloud computing is generally correct. The main implication for researchers is probably to use the results of the survey to improve the didactic process of the university with a specialization in economics and management. The main limitation of the study is a research sample selected only from one university. The scope of this article fills in the research gap that exists in the knowledge about cloud computing - one of the modern information technologies currently developing. Extending this research to other universities in Poland would yield more objective results that could be fully generalized.

Keywords:

Cloud computing, types of cloud computing, Internet user’s opinion, IT development awareness.