Saddiq Betrah

E-government in Saudi Arabia: Critical Factors in the Diffusion of E-government in Saudi Arabia Saddiq Betrah

E-government case studies in Saudi Arabia have been investigated with the application of content analysis technique and then evaluated against the Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory. The results of this research suggest that there are four factors that would substantially affect the outcomes of adopting and diffusing e-government applications. These factors are: Relative Advantage or Usefulness, Image, Compatibility, and Complexity or Lack of Ease of Use. In order for e-government projects to succeed in Saudi Arabia or in similar developing countries, it is recommended that the government take into account these factors when planning, designing and implementing e-government initiatives. The study also suggests directions for further research in this area.