The Effect of Socio-Cultural Norms on the Adoption of E-Government in GCC Countries: a Saudi Arabian Case Study

Abstract

In 2016, Saudi Arabia launched an ambitious development plan intended to reform and revitalise every area of Saudi society. The goals of this plan, known as Saudi Vision 2030, encompass economic diversification, social liberalisation, good governance and civic engagement. The Saudi government hopes that e-government will play a significant role in achieving most of these targets, encouraging civic engagement and distributing the dividends of the new digital economy. Although Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in its Information and Communications Technology infrastructure in recent years, the rate of e-government adoption by Saudi citizens remains persistently low. A large body of literature suggests that the rate of adoption of new technology/innovation is determined by culture. This research draws on findings from existing literature to devise a conceptual framework that encapsulates the socio-cultural factors that may be responsible for influencing rates of e-government adoption in Saudi Arabia.