Developing and Testing Policy for Effective Use of ICT in Saudi Arabian Universities

308 Pages·2017·12.71 MB·English

by  Fahad Alturise

Developing and Testing Policy for Effective Use of
ICT in Saudi Arabian Universities

Fahad Mohammed Alturise
Bachelor of Computing, Master of IT

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Information Technology and Software Engineering
School of Computer Science, Engineering & Mathematics
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Flinders University, South Australia

July 2016
DECLARATION
This work has not been previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any
university. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the thesis contains no material
previously published or written by another person except where due reference is
made in the thesis itself.

Fahad Alturise

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DEDICATION
To my family
My mother, who is the source of light in my life.
My lovely wife, who sacrificed and still sacrifices much for me so that I can
finish this work.
My sweet flowers, Mohammed and Ibrahim.

To my advisor
Associate Professor Paul Calder, who helped me a lot not only with this project
but also with his patience and wisdom.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, my gratitude is to Almighty God for giving me the knowledge and strength to
accomplish my PhD in time.
I express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to many people and organisations that helped
support me in this study. Primarily, my principle supervisor, Associate Professor Paul Calder,
for his continuous support in this project. He was always there to listen and to give advice. He
taught me how to ask questions and express my ideas. He showed me different ways to approach
a research problem and the need to be persistent to accomplish any goal. Also, special thanks
go to Dr Brett Wilkinson for his constructive opinions, wise words and support. There are many
at Flinders University who assisted me in this journey including academics, staff members and
PhD colleagues.
Special thanks to my wife and sons for their motivation, patience and for sharing this journey
with me. Also, I am very thankful to my beloved mother, father, brothers and sisters; they have
been a constant source of emotional and moral support during my postgraduate years.
I also acknowledge Flinders University of South Australia for giving me the opportunity to
enhance my skills and prove myself as an Information Technology researcher and professional.
My gratitude is finally extended to the colleagues who helped me in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry
of Education and Qassim University and Saudi Cultural Mission have provided me with the
opportunity and support that enabled me to do this degree. Others who are not included in this
list are not left out; I am really grateful to whoever may have helped in any way with the
completion of this PhD.

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ABSTRACT
Due to its far reaching influence on many functions of education institutions and its potential
benefits for educators and students, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has
become a topic of much interest in the educational community. ICT in the workplace can help
a business improve its productivity. Many organisations now rely on ICT to manage their
internal activities as well as other communication and business processes and procedures.
University education is one of the most important methods for helping develop a country and
its people. One country that must improve its education system is Saudi Arabia.
The first purpose of this thesis was to investigate the challenge of using ICT for students, faculty
members and administrative staff in Saudi Arabian universities. The thesis explores the most
important barriers that these stakeholders face and compares ICT use between Saudi Arabia on
one hand, and the Gulf States - Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain – on
the other, with a view to discovering the main challenges which have affected effective ICT
adoption in Saudi Arabian universities. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were
employed to collect data from ten universities in Saudi Arabia and five universities in the Gulf
States. The study found there are significant barriers that impede the full adoption and
utilisation of ICT in Saudi universities compared to Gulf States universities. The results suggest
that Saudi Arabian universities lack proper ICT infrastructure, including the provision of
suitable connection networks and formal training of staff in utilising ICT resources in contrast
with Gulf States universities. Also, low ICT skills and lack of motivation are significant
challenges that compromises stakeholders’ ability to employ available ICT effectively and
extends to other problems.
The second purpose of this thesis was to propose strategies to overcome these challenges and
make recommendations for ICT integration in universities in Saudi Arabia. An interim report
of the proposed solutions was validated by ICT professionals and experts in Saudi Arabian
universities, and feedback was incorporated into a final report. Proposed strategies include both
cultural solutions, such as attractive incentives and up-to-date policies and rules, and technical
solutions, such as comprehensive ICT usage monitoring, high-quality online training and
universal access to ICT infrastructure.
The major contribution of this study is to suggest how ICT use can be increased and made more
effective in Saudi Arabia’s universities. This study’s findings aim to advise the Saudi Arabian
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and Gulf States’ universities about their plans, policies and programmes for implementing ICT
and the consolidation of required resources.

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PUBLICATIONS
The following academic publications emerged from this PhD dissertation.
Journal Publications
• Alturise, F., Calder, P. & Wilkinson, B. 2014, 'E-mail use by the faculty members,
students and staff of Saudi Arabian and Gulf states Universities', International Journal
of Advanced Computer Science and Applications (IJACSA), vol. 5, no. 9, pp. 123-128.

Conference Papers
• Alturise, F., Calder, P. & Wilkinson, B. 2016, 'A Comparison of ICT infrastructure in
Saudi Arabian and Gulf States Universities', SAI Computing Conference 2016, July 13-
15, 2016, London, UK.
• Alturise, F. & Calder, P. 2016, 'Effective Use of ICT in Saudi Universities: Problems
and Solution Strategies', 2016 International Conference on e-Commerce, e-
Administration, e-Society, e-Education, and e-Technology, April 6-8, 2016,
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, ISSN 2074-5710, Published by
Knowledge Association of Taiwan, pp. 171-186.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION ........................................................................................................ I
DEDICATION ........................................................................................................... II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... III
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ IV
PUBLICATIONS ..................................................................................................... VI
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................... VII
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................. XIII
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................... XV
ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................... XVI
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................. 1
1.3 Purpose of the Study ...................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Research Objectives ........................................................................................................ 3
1.5 Research Questions ........................................................................................................ 3
1.6 Research Methodology Overview................................................................................... 5
1.7 Structure of the Thesis .................................................................................................... 9
1.8 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER 2 STUDY CONTEXT ................................................................................... 12
2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 12
2.2 A Brief Background of the Countries in the Study ........................................................ 12
2.2.1 Saudi Arabia .............................................................................................................. 12
2.2.2 Gulf States ................................................................................................................. 13
2.3 Higher Education History .............................................................................................. 15
2.3.1 Saudi Arabia .............................................................................................................. 15
2.3.2 Gulf States ................................................................................................................. 18
2.4 Development of ICT in Government ............................................................................. 20
2.4.1 Saudi Arabia .............................................................................................................. 20
2.4.2 Gulf States ................................................................................................................. 22
2.5 Development of ICT in Universities .............................................................................. 24
2.5.1 Saudi Arabia .............................................................................................................. 24
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2.5.2 Gulf States ................................................................................................................. 27
2.6 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 28
CHAPTER 3 LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................... 29
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 29
3.2 ICT in the Education System ......................................................................................... 29
3.2.1 ICT in Higher Education ............................................................................................. 30
3.2.1.1 The Importance of ICT in University ...................................................................... 31
3.2.1.2 University Stakeholders ......................................................................................... 33
3.2.1.3 ICT in Learning and Teaching ................................................................................. 34
3.2.1.4 Administrators' Use of ICT ..................................................................................... 35
3.2.2 E-learning .................................................................................................................. 36
3.2.2.1 The Importance of E-learning in Saudi Universities................................................ 36
3.2.3 ICT Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... 38
3.2.4 Successful Integration of ICT ..................................................................................... 39
3.3 Barriers to Using ICT Effectively .................................................................................... 40
3.3.1 E-government ........................................................................................................... 41
3.3.1.1 Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States ........................................................................... 41
3.3.1.2 Developing Countries ............................................................................................ 44
3.3.2 Education Systems .................................................................................................... 47
3.3.2.1 Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States ........................................................................... 51
3.3.2.2 Developing Countries ............................................................................................ 60
3.3.2.3 Developed Countries .............................................................................................. 66
3.3.3 Summary of Barriers ................................................................................................. 71
3.4 Strategic Solutions for ICT Implementation.................................................................. 76
3.5 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 79
CHAPTER 4 BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES .......................................................... 81
4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 81
4.2 Process and Methodology ............................................................................................ 81
4.2.1 Research Questions .................................................................................................. 81
4.2.2 Data Collection .......................................................................................................... 82
4.2.2.1 Quantitative Data Collection .................................................................................. 82
4.2.2.2 Qualitative Data Collection ..................................................................................... 83
4.2.2.3 Sample Selection ..................................................................................................... 84
4.2.2.4 Questionnaire Development .................................................................................. 88
4.2.3 Data Collection Procedures ....................................................................................... 90
4.2.3.1 Human Subjects’ Committee Approval .................................................................. 91
4.2.3.2 Research Field Study Approval ............................................................................... 91
4.2.3.3 Translation from English into Arabic ...................................................................... 91
4.2.3.4 Questionnaire Validation and Reliability ................................................................ 92
4.2.3.5 Pilot Study ............................................................................................................... 94
4.2.3.6 Questionnaire Administration ................................................................................ 95
4.2.4 Data Analysis Procedures .......................................................................................... 97
4.3 Data Analysis and Results ............................................................................................. 97
4.3.1 Demographic Information ......................................................................................... 98
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4.3.2 Infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 100
4.3.2.1 Computer Devices ................................................................................................. 100
4.3.2.2 Internet Connection .............................................................................................. 102
4.3.2.2.1 Internet Availability ........................................................................................... 102
4.3.2.2.2 Internet Quality ................................................................................................. 105
4.3.2.3 Software and Services System .............................................................................. 106
4.3.2.3.1 Availability of Education Services ...................................................................... 106
4.3.2.3.2 Availability of Communication Services............................................................. 108
4.3.2.3.3 Use of Electronic Mail ........................................................................................ 110
4.3.2.3.4 Availability of Administrative Services ............................................................... 112
4.3.2.3.5 Effectiveness of University E-services ............................................................... 113
4.3.2.4 Policies and Rules ................................................................................................. 115
4.3.2.5 Open-Ended Questions ......................................................................................... 116
4.3.3 Stakeholders’ Qualifications ................................................................................... 118
4.3.3.1 Participants’ Skills ................................................................................................. 119
4.3.3.2 Training and Workshops ....................................................................................... 121
4.3.3.3 Open-Ended Questions ......................................................................................... 123
4.3.4 Participants’ Willingness, Attitude and Ability ........................................................ 124
4.3.4.1 Open-Ended Questions ......................................................................................... 125
4.4 Discussion and Findings .............................................................................................. 126
4.4.1 Poor ICT Infrastructure ........................................................................................... 127
4.4.2 Low ICT Skills ........................................................................................................... 129
4.4.3 Lack of Motivation .................................................................................................. 131
4.4.4 Other Barriers ......................................................................................................... 132
4.5 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 133
CHAPTER 5 PROBLEMS AND SOLUTION STRATEGIES .................................. 135
5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 135
5.2 Method ....................................................................................................................... 136
5.2.1 Need for a Report ................................................................................................... 137
5.2.2 Questions and Objectives ....................................................................................... 137
5.2.3 Search for Relevant Studies .................................................................................... 137
5.2.4 Report Development ............................................................................................... 137
5.3 Problems and Challenges ............................................................................................ 138
5.4 Stakeholders ............................................................................................................... 139
5.4.1 Decision-Makers ..................................................................................................... 139
5.4.2 Technical Support ................................................................................................... 140
5.4.3 Faculty Members .................................................................................................... 140
5.4.4 Administration Staff ................................................................................................ 141
5.5 Solution Strategies ...................................................................................................... 141
5.5.1 Cultural Solutions .................................................................................................... 142
5.5.1.1 Attractive Incentives ............................................................................................ 142
5.5.1.2 Up-to-Date Policies and Rules ............................................................................. 143
5.5.2 Technical Solutions ................................................................................................. 144
5.5.2.1 Comprehensive Usage Monitoring ...................................................................... 144
5.5.2.2 High-Quality Online Training ............................................................................... 145
5.5.2.3 Universal Access to ICT Infrastructure ................................................................. 146
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