Computer-based information systems and their use by managers in Saudi Arabia and the UK

421 Pages·2017·25.05 MB·English

Loughborough University
Institutional Repository
Computer-based information
systems and their use by
managers in Saudi Arabia
and the UK
ThisitemwassubmittedtoLoughboroughUniversity’sInstitutionalRepository
by the/an author.
Additional Information:
• A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.
Metadata Record: https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/7759
Publisher: (cid:13)c Mufleh M. Alkahtani
Please cite the published version.
This item is held in Loughborough University’s Institutional Repository
(https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/) and was harvested from the British Library’s
EThOS service (http://www.ethos.bl.uk/). It is made available under the
following Creative Commons Licence conditions.

For the full text of this licence, please go to:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/
COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND THEIR
USE BY MANAGERS IN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE UK
By
MUFLEH M. ALKAHTANI
A Doctoral Thesis
Submitted in fulfilment
the
partial of requirements
For
the
award of
Doctor Philosophy the
of of
Loughborough University
1998
M. Alkahtani 1998
Copyright by Mufleh
ABSTRACT
for
Computer-Based Information Systems (CBIS)
are now widely used supporting
business information for
they tool that
activities; are recognised as a can produce
decision-making. The has both
management present study utilised qualitative and
data investigate
to the
quantitative methods of collection way computer-based
information being for in Saudi Arabia. Some
systems are used management purposes
data have been in'the UK to the impact of
also obtained examine comparatively
information in business
the
computer-based systems on work of managers organisations
in Saudi Arabia the UK. This has involved determining the that
and examination uses
CBIS, levels
managers are making of and evaluating of satisfaction.
The has firms, but has
sample covered a range of concentrated particularly on oil
banks. The for is Saudi Arabia depends
this that on
companies and reason choice
for its For UK, has involved
these two much of economic activity. the the study a
three The first Shell, to the Saudi
small sample of companies. was compare with
Arabian The Astra Andaris. These
two
oil companies. other companies were and were
high
technology to
selected as companies which were expected put considerable
information
emphasis on computer-based systems.
In fulfil
to the this
order aims and objectives of study, a research model was
developed, describes for
the the the the
which characteristics of approach study and
The first investigation involved
the
variables considered. stage of subsequent a
distributed in Saudi Arabia firms (72.1% 1000
questionnaire of questionnaires were
UK firms (74 % 140 The
returned) and of questionnaires were returned). second stage
involved interviews in both Saudi Arabia (19
a series of carried out respondents) and
UK (I I
the
respondents) with selected managers and selected computer centre
managers.
The findings CBIS is highly in Saudi
the that
main of study show already used
Arabia, but (e. There to
that training)
some problems g. with still remain. also appear
be differences between Saudi Arabia UK.
some the
and
DEDICATIONS
I dedicate this thesis to the brother Ayed (may
soul and spirit of my god
him). I had he have lived
that to this
redeem wished could see work.
To beloved Huda for her
my wife the
generous support and sacrifices she
has for
made my sake.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I like to thanks to
would express my sincere and appreciation a number of people
have been
this
without whose support and encouragement work would not completed.
First foremost, thanks to Professor A. J. Meadows,
and grateful my supervisor, who
provided prompt and effective guidance, encouragement and generous assistance
His
throughout each stage of my work. constructive support and considerate guidance
to this thesis. His this
made a significant contribution guidance and. support, made
to
work very easy complete.
I Dr. R. P Sturges, for help
to the time,
am also most grateful great amount of and
he has during
this
support given me work.
My Dr. Ray G. Thorpý, for his help,
thanks to this
also go support and advice on work.
My helped during
thanks to those
and appreciation companies which me my
fieldwork, Shell, Astra, Andarais in UK, in
the the
such as and and all companies
Saudi Arabia.
My is Huda, for her
to
sincere gratitude extended as well my wife, caring, compassion
during difficult I have
the times
and many sacrifices encountered while undertaking
I for her
this
work. am extremely grateful continued-shared responsibility, support
help finish for I
to
and my study, and also creating a good atmosphere while was
home.
working at
Finally, family,
thanks to
my sincere and gratitude go out all members of my with a
father
thanks to
very special my and mother who generously supported me morally
for Also, thanks to brother Nasser for his
and sacrificed much my sake. my go my
help during
support and my education.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES vii
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
ABBREVIATIONS x
ONE: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER
1
1.1 Introduction
6
1.2 Aim the
of study
6
1.3 Objectives
the
of study
7
1.4 Hypotheses
8
1.5 Definitions
CHAPTER TWO: GENERAL BACKGROUND
11
2.1 Introduction
12
2.2 Geography
15
2.3 Climate
15
2.4 History
17
2.5 Government
19
2.6 Population
20
2.7 Language
20
2.8 Currency
20
2.9 Education
25
2.10 Econom
27
2.11 Saudi development
Arabia
plans
2.11.1 The first development (1970-1975) 28
plan
2.11.2 The development (1975-1980) 29
second plan
2.11.3 The development (19 8 0-19 8 5) 30
third
plan
2.11.4 The fourth development (1985-1990) 32
plan
2.11.5 The fifth development (1990-1995) 33
plan
2.11.6 The development (1995-2000) 35
sixth plan
CHAPTER THREE: SAUDI ARABIAN ORGANISATIONS AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 37
3.2 Business 38
organisation structure
3.3 The Royal Commission for Jubail Yanbu 44
and
3.3.1 Jubail 45
3.3.2 Yanbu 47
3.4 Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation 48
3.5 Saudi Arabian Oil Company
_51
3.6 The Council Saudi Chamber Commerce
of of and
3.6.1 Information Centre 58
3.6.2 The Riyadh Chamber Commerce Industry
of and
_60
3.7 Banking 60
3.7.1 Arab bank 65
national
3.7.2 United Saudi Commercial Bank 66
3.7.3 The banks 66
other
3.8 IT training 67
centres
3.9 Arabisation 67
3.10 IT in Saudi Arabia 70
marketing
CHAPTER FOUR: REVIEW OF PREVIOUS WORK
4.1 Introduction
73
4.2 Organisational
74
support
4.3 Information
87
technology the
and manager,
4.4 User
95
satisfaction
ii
99
impacts
4.5 Information
technology
107
4.6 Business
communication
113
4.7 Relevant
research model
121
4.8 Summary
CHAPTER FIVE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
128
5.1 Introduction
129
5.2 Research
model
135
5.3 Research
method
135
5.3.1 Use interviews
of
141
5.3.2 Use
of questionnaires,
144
5.3.3 The
present study
146
5.4 Interview
method
147
5.4.1 Interview
content
149
5.5 Questionnaire
method
152
5.5.1 Questionnaire
content.
5.6 Pilot
study
_153
155
5.7 Selection
of sample
157
5.8 Saudi Arabia
survey
161
5.9 UK
survey
163
S. 10 Data
analysis
CHAPTER SIX: DATA ANALYSIS-SAUDI ARABIA QUESINONNAIRE
6.1 Introduction 165
6.2 Background 166
variables
6.3 Assessment 173
the
of computer systems,
81
6.5 Usage
of computer systems
_I
6.5.1 Applications 181
189
6.6 Tasks involving
computer systems.
198
6.7 Correlations between
tasks
applications and
6.8 Correlations between 202
usage and satisfaction.
.
6.9 Computer impacts 206
systems
iii
6.10 Correlation between individual impact 213
usage and
6.11 Correlation between individual impact. 217
satisfaction and
6.12 Infrastructure facilities 220
and support
6.13 Correlation between 227
support and user satisfaction,
CHAPTER SEVEN: DATA ANALYSIS-THE UNITED KINGDOM
QUESIONNAIRE
232
7.1 Introduction
233
7.2 Background
variables
238
7.3 Assessment the
of computer systems
7.4 Managers 240
their
and systems,
7.5 Usage
of computer systems
_242
242
7.5.1 Applications
7.6 Usage for 251
tasks
of computer systems
7.7 Correlations between
tasks.
applications and
ý260
7.8 Correlations between 261
type
of usage and ease-of-usage
7.9 The impact 263
of computer systems
7.10 Correlations between individual impact 269
usage and
7.11 Correlations between individual impact 272
satisfaction and
7.12 Infrastructure facilities 274
and support
7.13 Correlations between 279
support and user satisfaction
CHAPTER EIGHT: DATA ANALYSIS-INTERVIEW SURVEY
8.1 Introduction 281
8.2 Saudi Arabia 282
8.2.1 Computer 282
centres
8.2.2 Managers
_286
8.3 UK 289
8.3.1 Computer 290
centres
8.3.2 Managers
_292
iv