Osama Alfarraj

A Comprehensive Analysis of E-government services adoption in Saudi Arabia: Obstacles and Challenges

Often referred as Government to Citizen (G2C) e- government services, many governments around the world are developing and utilizing ICT technologies to provide information and services to their citizens. In Saudi Arabia (KSA) e- government projects have been identified as one of the top government priority areas. However, the adoption of e- government is facing many challenges and barriers including technological, cultural, organizational which must be considered and treated carefully. This paper explores the key factors of user adoption of e-government services through empirical evidence gathered by survey of 460 Saudi citizens including IT department employees from different public sectors. Based on the analysis of data collected the researchers were able to identify some of the important barriers and challenges from these different perspectives. As a result, this study has generated a list of possible recommendations for the public sector and policy- makers to move towards successful adoption of e-government services in Saudi Arabia.

E-Government service delivery by a local government agency

Factors affecting intention to use E-Licensing by employees.Perceived usefulness/relative advantage is positively related to intention to use E-Licensing.Perceived ease of use and result demonstrability have positive effect on intention to use.Visibility/observability is positively related to intention to use.Enables formulation and design of measures to encourage usage of E-licensing. The advancement in technologies has changed the way services are delivered (Dabholkar, 2000). The licensing department of a local authority in Penang, Malaysia is the major department involved in the processing and issuance of various types of licenses. The traditional method of processing of licenses manually has been a subject of criticism by license applicants and the public due to the delay in processing and the inefficient feedback mechanism. Over a period of two years, the licensing department has been working closely with the system designers by providing input on the construction of the E-Licensing system. All the time spent and the investment would go to waste if the employees do not intend to use the system. This study is focused on factors affecting intention to use of technology enabled service delivery (E-Licensing) by employees. The research model by Moore and Benbasat (1991) was adapted and used in this study. Six hypotheses were formulated to test the relationship proposed. The data collected from a sample of 92 respondents was used in the analysis of the hypothesis. The findings from this study show that (i) perceived usefulness/relative advantage is positively related to intention to use E-Licensing. (ii) Perceived ease of use and result demonstrability is positively related to intention to use E-Licensing. (iii) Visibility/observability is positively related to intention to use E-Licensing. This study will enable the licensing department to formulate, design and introduce measures to encourage usage of E-Licensing.

EGovernment Stage Model: Evaluating the Rate of Web Development Progress of Government Websites in Saudi Arabia

This paper contributes to the issue of eGovernment implementation in Saudi Arabia by discussing the current situation of ministry websites. It evaluates the rate of web development progress of vital government websites in Saudi Arabia using the eGovernment stage model. In 2010, Saudi Arabia ranked 58 th in the world and 4 th in the Gulf region in eGovernment readiness according to United Nations reports. In particular, Saudi Arabia has ranked 75 th worldwide for its online service index and its components compared to the neighbouring Gulf country of Bahrain, which was ranked 8 th for the same index. While this is still modest in relation to the Saudi governments expectation concerning its vision for eGovernment implementation for 2010, and the results achieved by the neighbouring Gulf countries such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on the eGovernment index, the Saudi government has endeavoured to meet the public needs concerning eGovernment and carry out the implementation of eGovernment properly. Governments may heed the importance of actively launching official government websites - the focus of this study - as the main portals for delivering their online services to all the different categories of eGovernment (including G2C, G2B, and G2G). However, certain Saudi ministries have not given due attention to this vital issue. This is evidenced by the fact that some of their websites are not fully developed or do not yet exist, which clearly impedes that particular ministry from appropriately delivering eServices.

An empirical study on cloud computing requirements for better mobile learning services

Information technology and its applications change not only the way students learn but also how they are taught. M-learning provides many advantages to our education system. Cloud computing is the new technology that has started to be widely adopted for use with several applications by many education providers. A number of issues that have delayed the complete adoption of M-learning applications through cloud computing services still need to be solved. This paper defines an appropriate set of requirements, i.e. availability, quick response, flexibility and ease of use, long-term storage, elasticity and scalability, integrity, privacy and confidentiality and the control of information flow. The dimensions of these requirements are tailored to criteria developed from the literature study, standards for software quality and their guidelines. The paper then highlights the level of importance of each defined requirement for higher educational institutions, training centres, research laboratories, infant and junior schools.

Extending the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain online game playing among Malaysian undergraduate students

As the world moves into the web 2.0 era, everyone can connect virtually, and online game playing has become a trend. Online games are played over computer networks, usually over the Internet. Online games entail a number of advantages, such as the ability to connect to multiplayer games, although single-player online games are also rather popular. This exploratory study focused on modeling the determinants of actual use of online game playing. Many researchers have shown perceived enjoyment and flow experience as important drivers of actual use of online game playing. The theory of planned behavior has been used in this study. Data were collected from 1584 Universiti Sains Malaysia students with different backgrounds using a structured questionnaire. The findings show that perceived enjoyment has the strongest influence on actual use. Other variables found to influence actual usage include the level of perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, attitude, perceived enjoyment, and flow experience. Implications of this research for future researchers will also be discussed. We hope this research will increase researchers’ interest in further development in this sector and that the model will assist the games industry to identify factors that increase actual use by players.

Biometric authentication for mobile government security

Mobile government provides unique opportunities to utilize mobile technology to receive government services and information literally from any place, at any time, using varieties of wireless networks. However, mobile devices are using wireless network broadcasts which are vulnerable as they send signals over the public airwaves. With the rapid growth of mobile devices and Internet services, there is a growing need for user and government authentication for the protection of data and services, and to promote public trust. This paper presents the process of the grounded theory application to information system security research to develop a substantive theory for the successful implementation of biometric authentication in m-government security. It concludes by presenting the findings in the form of categories with their relationships. These emerging categories indicate the factors that influence the adoption of biometrics in m-government security.

Fuzzy-VQ image compression based hybrid PSOGSA optimization algorithm

The transmission speed of big data in multimedia, social networking, and web services, can be enhanced by image compression technology. Fuzzy vector quantization (VQ) image compression is a significant tool for achieving a codebook to illuminate lineaments of big data. A functionality combination of PSO and GSA algorithms, with parallel running, have been used to design a fuzzy-VQ image compression system. The improvement of the compressed image quality has been executed by carrying out suitable parameters selection using the proposed algorithm. Comparative study between sophisticated learning schemes and Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) based VQ learning process has been introduced. The proposed algorithms provide an achievement in the behavior of pure image compression.

Evaluating the Impact of ERP Systems in Higher Education

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impacts of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems on user performance (UP) in higher education institutions with a view to better understanding the ERP phenomenon in these institutions, and to determine whether or not these systems work well in such a complex environment. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative methodology was used in this study and data were collected by means of a written questionnaire. Measurement items used in the operationalization of the study instrument were adopted from relevant prior research. Findings – The findings indicated that system quality, task technology fit and information quality are the most important factors that lead to better end UP. The provides evidence of the appropriateness of extending IS models as a useful way to give more powerful insights into user aspects and system impact. Research limitations/implications – Although the study factors explained a large portion of the variance in UP, there is ...

Modelling digital library success using the DeLone and McLean information system success model

This is an exploratory study to model the determinants of actual use of a digital library system. To do so, a research model was developed using Delone and McLean’s information system success model and explained as an empirical study. Data were collected from 978 respondents using a structured questionnaire from four different universities of Malaysia. The findings showed that the quality factors of digital library systems have a strong influence on satisfaction, behavioral intention, and variance in actual use. Information quality is the strongest predictor to measure user satisfaction, and satisfaction has a strong effect on students’ behavioral intention to use the system. In addition, user satisfaction and behavioral intention to use the system also have a strong positive relationship with the actual use of a digital library system. In brief, behavioral intentions are greatly influenced by system quality, information quality and service quality.

Factors attracting online consumers to choose e-Malls for e-procurement in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT A large segment of consumers prefer e-procurement because it provides several advantages such as a variety of options and lower prices. The business-to-consumer approach is spreading on a global scale, but its role is limited in countries such as Saudi Arabia due to the size and strength of the economy. Saudi Arabia has the fourth highest level of economic growth in the Middle East and ranks 38th globally in terms of Internet infrastructure. Its rate of Internet growth is 12% yearly, and 40% of the population has access to the Internet. The volume of online trade in Saudi Arabia was USD 800 million in 2012, and 56% of this amount was for purchases through foreign websites.The end consumers are one of the most important target segments of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which constitute 90% of Saudi Arabian companies. These companies face limitations in establishing e-procurement channels because these channels require financial support beyond their funding capabilities. Therefore, one of the best low-cost solutions is the adoption of e-Malls, which provide various benefits to consumers and are a suitable environment for SMEs to present and sell their products. The e-Mall is a modern idea in Saudi Arabia; thus, it could be beneficial to adopt the diffusion of an innovative approach to the spread of e-Malls. This article focuses on determining the requirements and obstacles facing consumers who make purchases through e-Malls. A quantitative survey was conducted on a random sample of 381 residents of all ages in Saudi Arabia who had made online purchases. The main factors influencing the adoption of e-Malls were organisational, technical and cultural elements.