AlShihi, Hafedh (2006) Critical Factors in the Adoption and Diffusion of E-Government Initiatives in Oman. PhD thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

Many significant barriers must be faced in the adoption and dissemination of e-government systems regardless of how advanced or modest a country is in terms of ICT infrastructure and deployment. This research has endeavored to investigate the impediments associated with the development and diffusion of e-government with a concentration on non-technical and country-specific factors. The focus of the research was on Oman's efforts to develop an e-government system, using advanced nations' experiences in the same domain to establish benchmarks. Initially, this research undertook a general literature review to define the barriers to the uptake of e-government and to set and refine aims, scope and questions asked of the research. Subsequently, a more focused literature review was conducted on the experiences of advanced nation with e-government, to identify possible lessons for and solutions to barriers facing the take-up of e-government. In parallel, an exploratory case study of the Oman e-government project was conducted that aimed to test the extent to which the barriers and solutions drawn from the largely Western-centric literature apply in the Omani situation, and to investigate other possible cultural and country-specific barriers. Semi-structured interviews and face-to-face administered questionnaires were the primary data collection strategies used throughout the case study phase. The study found that non-technical barriers in Oman, such as users' lack of IT knowledge and the absence of marketing campaigns, have negatively affected people's decisions to use the technology and inhibited decision makers from implementing or adopting technology initiatives. In addition, several country-specific limits to e-government growth were identified. Government decision makers in Oman were found to be prone to short-term planning, which prevents them from anticipating the long-term potential of e-government. Additionally, frequent structural changes within ministries, and the fact that the e-government project is not given high priority nor urgently needed at present, have contributed in delaying development of and improvements to such a system. Ultimately, this research delivered a socio-technical framework for adoption, detailing causes and effects of the critical factors in the adoption and diffusion of e-government initiatives in Oman.

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