Attitudes and perceptions regarding Internet-based electronic data interchange in a public organization in Saudi Arabia

This study examined the attitudes and perceptions of staff members and administrators in the General Directorate for Private Institutes & Centers (GDPI&C), Training institutes, and Centers in Saudi Arabia toward Internet-based Electronic Data Interchange (I-EDI) in a public organization. A survey was conducted of a group of GDPI&C members and randomly selected Institutes and Centers. The 339 respondents participated anonymously by providing demographic information and completing the attitudes and perceptions section of I-EDI questionnaire. The survey response rate was 82.6%. An attitude survey was distributed to staff members, administrators, and faculty members in the Saudi Arabian GDPI&C, Training Institutes, and Centers. The study was designed to (a) measure the attitudes and perceptions of staff members, administrators, and faculty members in GDPI&C toward the use of computers, the Internet, and the implementation of I-EDI within the organization and (b) describe Institute/Center administrators\u27, staff members\u27, and faculty members\u27 attitudes and perceptions toward the use of computers, the Internet, and the implementation of I-EDI. The study also examined the expectations of GDPI&C staff members/administrators/faculty members and those of Institute and Center staff members, administrators, and faculty members regarding the potential benefits of implementing a new system (I-EDI). It was found that the participants in GDPI&C, Training Institutes, and Centers across Saudi Arabia did understand and appreciate the value to the organization of I-EDI. It was also found that they did not hold significant fears about using computers and the Internet in the organization. It was further found that they would not be likely to fear the implementation of I-EDI in the organization. Based on these findings, it was concluded that implementation of I-EDI in GDPI&C, Training Institutes, and Centers across Saudi Arabia is a necessary project and that fears of personnel are unlikely to interfere with the implementation I-EDI. It was recommended that the GDPI&C proceed to a stage of intensive planning for the implementation of I-EDI in the organization