Factors affecting e-Government implementation and adoption in the State of Qatar

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Electronic government (e-government) has established as an effective mechanism for increasing government productivity and efficiency and a key enabler of citizen-centric services. However, e-government implementation is surrounded by organisational, technological, political and social issues, which have to be considered and treated carefully in order to facilitate this change. Conversely, from an adoption perspective, e-government services are yet to be universally accepted as a medium for accessing online public services since its inception more than a decade ago. In terms of prior research into understanding the implementation challenges and adoption factors, most existing literature focus into either the implementation context or adoption context separately and no research studies were found that take a holistic viewpoint of both implementation and adoption. Furthermore, only a few researchers have explored and reflected on the important factors that can impact e-government implementation using well founded theoretical models or frameworks. Besides, there is no universal model for e-government implementation and adoption that is applicable for all countries to ensure success, especially for developing and Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC). Therefore, this thesis attempts to explore and investigate the key challenges that influence e-government implementation and the factors influencing citizen adoption in the state of Qatar. By simultaneously analysing and aligning the implementation issues of e-government with the adoption aspects, this study aimed to develop a better understanding of the gaps that exists between implementation and adoption. Through combining the implementation and adoption aspects of e-government, this thesis proposes a unified conceptual model which could be used as a frame of reference by government institutions that seek to implement and diffuse e-government systems in Qatar. To do so, the research draws from two well established theoretical models, Institutional Theory (for understanding implementation) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model (for understanding adoption). The research adopted a multi-method approach [combining qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (survey) methods] to explore practices and experiences of implementing and adopting e-government systems in the State of Qatar

Citizens\u27 Acceptance of eGovernment Services: An Empirical Study of Medina City

Many governments over the world have adopted information communication technologies (ICT) and associated benefits to facilitate improved and more efficient services to citizens. One famous channel of these revolutions is the use of internet facilities to offer online public services to stakeholders (particularly citizens). This channel has been increasing rapidly in recent times with the introduction of electronic government (e-government). However, the success of these initiatives, including e-government, will depend largely on user (citizen) access of e-services, availability of web sites, and high level of security and protection of citizens’ privacy. This paper aims to examine the Saudi citizens\u27 perspective of e-government systems in Medina city in the Kingdome of Saudi Arabia

The international telecommunications sector : a financial investigation of post privatisation performance

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/442 on 01.02.2017 by CS (TIS)The focus of this thesis is an investigation of the post-privatisation performance of the international telecoms sector. Firstly, the general hypothesis (1) of this thesis has been pursued, which states that the privatised telecoms companies perform differently from their non-privatised (private) counterparts. Several tests were applied; namely, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. The principal finding was that there was no significant difference in performance. Secondly, the next hypothesis (2) states that the financial performance of each company is positively related to that of the other two selected companies. For this purpose, multiple regression tests were performed to investigate any inter-relationships between BT, AT&T and NTT. It was found that the performance of each was affected by the other companies. Thirdly, the next hypothesis (3) states that, in a global market, company performance is related more closely to the sector than to each respective stock market. It was found that performance was affected more significantly by their respective stock markets than by competitor global players. Fourthly, the next hypothesis (4) states that, in terms of competitive advantage, NTT exhibits through time a superior position compared with BT and AT&T on account of its monopoly position. It was found that monopoly was not an issue. Fifthly, the next hypothesis (5) states that, of the three global players, AT&T is more adversely affected in its competitive advantage on account of its having a weaker monopoly position. It was found that AT&T had a competitive advantage from 1990 to 1993. BT took the lead until 2000, then NTT forged ahead after the Japanese market started to become more liberalised in terms of competition. Original tests were performed regarding the changing degree of competitive advantage of these three companies. This required an evaluation of the relationship between competitive advantage and priceearnings inverses, capital asset pricing model derived rates of return and dividend-based rates of return. A random walk with drift model was also applied, in order to evaluate forecasted trends. Finally, BT's short-term debt-financing problems were examined. To overcome these difficulties, BT raised funds via a rights issue, selling off Yell and other profitable assets and de-merged their mobile company. It was found that the strategic risk probability of a failed rights issue was quite small.State of Qatar- Ministry of Education, Qata

The Use of Wireless Internet Parks to Facilitate Adoption and Diffusion of E-Government Services: An Empirical Study in Qatar

The Qatari government has launched Wireless Internet Parks (iPark) concept under their national electronic government (e-government) initiative with a view of providing free internet access for all citizens while enjoying the outdoors. By offering free wireless Internet access, the Qatari government hopes to increase accessibility of e-government services and encourage their citizens to actively participate in the global information society with a view of bridging the digital divide. The adoption and diffusion of iPark services will depend on user acceptance and availability of wireless technology. This paper examines an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that proposes individual differences, technology complexity, and trust environment constructs to determine perceived usefulness and perceived ease of the iPark initiative by using a survey based study. Results of the survey showed that among other constructs Wireless Internet trust and technology complexity has a significant affect on perceived usefulness of iPark services

Modelling use continuance in virtual worlds: The case of second life

Electronic government (e-government) has shown encouraging results in developed countries in the context of delivering electronic information and services to citizens. However, despite the many lessons that can be learned from the experiences of those egovernment initiatives, developing countries are still faced with various issues pertaining to their implementation of e-government services. Like many other developing countries, the e-government initiative in the state of Qatar has faced a number of challenges since its inception in 2000. Using a survey based study this paper describes citizens’ behavioural intention in terms of applying the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of technology (UTAUT) model to explore the adoption and diffusion of e-government services in the state of Qatar. Analysis of the results indicates that there is significant positive relationship between performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and behavioural intention to use e-government services for the citizens of Qatar. Implications for practice and research are discussed

Investigating the Adoption of eGovernment Services in Qatar Using the UTAUT Model

Electronic government (e-government) initiatives are in their early stages in many developing countries and faced with various issues pertaining to their implementation of e-government services. Like many other developing countries, the e-government initiative in the state of Qatar has faced a number of challenges since its inception in 2000. This study utilises the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of technology (UTAUT) model to explore the adoption and diffusion of e-government services in the state of Qatar. 1179 citizens were surveyed using the UTAUT model. The empirical data reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influences determine citizens’ behavioural intention. Additionally, facilitating conditions and behavioural intention determine citizens’ use of e-government services. Implications for practice and research are discussed

Factors affecting e-government adoption in the state of Qatar

Electronic government (e-government) initiatives are in their early stages in many developing countries and faced with various issues pertaining to their implementation, adoption and diffusion. Although e-government has increased transparency and improved communication and access to information for citizens, digital diffusion of information is often achieved at high cost to government agencies. Conversely, citizens’ adoption of e-government services has been less than satisfactory in most countries. While studies by researchers continue to outline the most salient adoption constructs, as well as various frameworks and models for understanding adoption, research by independent consultancy/research organisations has produced a host of statistics and league tables of good and bad practices of service delivery. Like many other developing countries, the e-government initiative in the state of Qatar has faced a number of challenges since its inception in 2000. This study utilises the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to explore the adoption of e-government services in the state of Qatar. 1179 citizens were surveyed to collect primary data. A regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of the factors adapted from the UTAUT on e-government adoption. Reliability test reported values of the various constructs vary between (0.74) and (0.91). The findings reveal that effort expectancy and social influences determine citizens’ behavioural intention towards e-government. Additionally, facilitating conditions and behavioural intention were found to determine citizens’ use of e-government services in Qatar. Implications for practice and research are discussed

E-GOVERNMENT ADOPTION IN QATAR: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CITIZENS\u27 PERSPECTIVE

Electronic government (e-government) initiatives are in their early stages in many developing countries and faced with various issues pertaining to their implementation, adoption and diffusion. Like many other developing countries, the e-government initiative in the state of Qatar has faced a number of challenges since its inception in 2000. Using a survey based study this paper describes citizens‟ behavioural intention and adoption in terms of applying and utilising the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of technology (UTAUT) model to explore the adoption and diffusion of e-government services in the state of Qatar. A regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of e-government adoption factors and the empirical data revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influences determine citizens‟ behavioural intention towards e-government. Moreover, facilitating conditions and behavioural intention were found to determine citizens‟ use of e-government services in the state of Qatar. Implications for practice and research are discussed

E-Government implementation Challenges: A Case study

The purpose of this paper is to explore empirically the implementation of e-government in a developing country in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) and the key challenges that influence implementation. A case study (using interview-based research) was undertaken within the State of Qatar. After reviewing the available literature, the paper first proposes a conceptual model, which was then used to explore e-government related change by considering the key forces influencing implementation from an organisational, technological, social and political context. The empirical results confirmed previously findings in literature and identified a number of new issues that were influencing e-government implementation in Qatar which were not explicitly discussed in prior e-government research

E-government adoption in Qatar: An investigation of the citizens' perspective

Electronic government (e-government) initiatives are in their early stages in many developing countries and faced with various issues pertaining to their implementation, adoption and diffusion. Like many other developing countries, the e-government initiative in the state of Qatar has faced a number of challenges since its inception in 2000. Using a survey based study this paper describes citizens‟ behavioural intention and adoption in terms of applying and utilising the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of technology (UTAUT) model to explore the adoption and diffusion of e-government services in the state of Qatar. A regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of e-government adoption factors and the empirical data revealed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influences determine citizens‟ behavioural intention towards e-government. Moreover, facilitating conditions and behavioural intention were found to determine citizens‟ use of e-government services in the state of Qatar. Implications for practice and research are discussed