Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted ACCEPTANCE OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY BY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA(Aston University, 2025) Alhumayzi, Mohammed; Batista, Luciano; Benson, VladlenaThe increasing adoption of new technologies in the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) sector highlights the importance of exploring blockchain acceptance among employees. Adopting blockchain, as an emerging technology, is likely to encounter resistance among employees. This study explores this issue. Specifically, this study aims to determine the drivers and hindrances of blockchain acceptance among employees in the HEIs industry. To address this aim, this study proposes a framework that extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) with individual characteristics. The framework represents factors that explain blockchain acceptance. The identified elements are performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EX), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC), trust, perceived security (SEC) and awareness (AW). The relationships among these factors were examined based on a quantitative approach, where an online questionnaire was employed to collect data from administrative and academic staff working for HEIs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) and Multi-group Analysis (MGA) techniques were employed to analyse 394 responses. The findings of this study revealed the direct drivers and hindrances of blockchain acceptance, i.e., PE, FC, SEC and AW. Additionally, this study demonstrated the moderating effects of AW between FC and blockchain acceptance. Furthermore, it determined specific indirect effects of the EX, trust and SEC on blockchain acceptance. Moreover, this research detected significant differences between categories’ subsamples and identified the significant factors of blockchain acceptance per subsample. Finally, this research identified where blockchain needs to be adopted most within the HEIs, i.e., financial exchange, certificate management, and students’ assessment areas. The HEIs industry in KSA could use these findings to develop concise strategies that encourage the adoption of blockchain. Scholars might also employ the proposed framework to investigate the adoption of blockchain.32 0Item Restricted Understanding adoption of the ecological and technological innovation of textile digital printing through Saudi enterprises(KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, 2024) Baaqil, Khadijah; Melody, LeHewThe world is currently facing a climate crisis that cannot be resisted. Many businesses contribute to climate change by engaging in industrial activities and practices. For example, Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest exporter of total petroleum products, and its economy is heavily dependent on oil and petroleum-related industries (Odnoletkova & Patzek, 2021). These industries cause major environmental impacts in Saudi Arabia and surrounding areas. To move away from its oil dependency and implement sustainability, Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in other sectors, including the fashion industry (Rana & Suliman, 2018). However, the textile goods industry is considered the second most contaminated industry followed by the oil industry. One area of concern is the damage caused by dyeing and printing processes (Dhir, 2021). Technological innovations in the textile goods industry are creating solutions to reduce the negative impact of the industry (Sachs, 2019). Digital textile printing technology (DTP) is promoted as the future of sustainability in the fashion industry (Ayyoob & Khan, 2023; Kumelachew et al., 2023; Tkalec et al., 2022). However, there is limited information in the literature on digital textile printing (DTP) technology. Specifically, there are no studies investigating the factors influencing DTP adoption. Therefore, this study fills a gap in the literature by understanding the motivational and behavioral factors influencing DTP adoption in Saudi Arabia, through the lens of the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), considering performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, eco-technological concern, and technological innovativeness. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, a mixed methods approach was employed through survey based primary data collection to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. Three models were proposed to investigate different relationships and variables to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research objectives and hypotheses. Model 1 used SEMPLS for testing hypotheses and mediation relationships. Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR) was used to test Model 2 and Model 3. Model 2 estimated the relationship between ordered categorical dependent variable and independents variables, and Model 3 estimated the influence of control variables in the adoption of DTP. The findings demonstrated that effort expectancy, social influence, and technological innovativeness have a significant influence on adoption. Conversely, there were three rejected hypotheses, including performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and eco-technological concern, that showed a non-significant relationship with adoption. Additionally, the results highlighted that technological innovativeness strongly mediates between primary study variables and the adoption of DTP technology. Overall, the OLR result showed that all relationships between the study constructs are significant, and the model is robust. Analysis also revealed that DTP adopters were younger and have higher incomes. Yet, individuals with a higher education level had less likelihood of adoption. Furthermore, the qualitative findings confirmed some close-ended responses and added insights. Thematic analysis identified three benefits of DTP: innovation, production efficiency, and product results. Participants also reported challenges, such as a lack of skills, financial resources, and limited DTP suppliers. Study results revealed some positive implications for the DTP market. There are strategies that marketers and policymakers could implement to improve the rate of DTP adoption. For example, marketers should segment targeted market into groups based on their individual characteristics. Awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry should be increased to enhance sustainability in the Saudi market. Addressing the study factors holistically necessitates targeted interventions, such as awareness campaigns, training programs, and collaboration initiatives. Lastly, this study showed that the research model had the capability to explain the adoption of DTP technology.36 0Item Restricted Understanding the Factors Influencing the Acceptance and Adoption of Mobile Health Applications by Physicians during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Saudi Arabia(University of Technology Sydney, 2025-01) Alsahli, Sultan; Lam, Mary; Hor, Su-yin; Rogers, KrisBackground: The rapid evolution of mobile health applications has become increasingly crucial in enhancing healthcare delivery, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the critical role of these technologies, acceptance and adoption rates among physicians in developing countries, especially Saudi Arabia, have remained relatively low. This highlights the need to explore the determinants of their acceptance and adoption. Aim: This thesis aimed to investigate the key factors influencing Saudi physicians’ intentions toward using mHealth applications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This mixed methods research was conducted in three phases, each addressing specific objective and research question. In phase 1, a systematic review was conducted to present all available evidence of mHealth acceptance and adoption from the perspectives of physicians. Phase 2 applied a quantitative design based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model to investigate key factors influencing physicians’ behavioural intentions to adopt mHealth apps. Data were collected via an online survey and analysed using structural equation modeling. Phase 3 employed a qualitative design, exploring additional context-specific factors not accounted for by the UTAUT model through semi- structured interviews. The qualitative data were analysed using template analysis. Results: The systematic review identified technological, individual, and organizational factors affecting physicians’ acceptance of mHealth apps during the pandemic. The quantitative study found that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions significantly influenced physicians’ intention to use mHealth applications. Qualitative findings highlighted additional factors unique to the Saudi context, such as concerns about data privacy, patient engagement, compatibility with religious and cultural norms, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. These factors shaped physicians’ perceptions and adoption behaviours, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to promote mHealth in Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: This thesis extends the UTAUT model by incorporating context-specific factors relevant to developing countries like Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings emphasize the need for investments in infrastructure, targeted training programs, and policies that address both technological and cultural concerns. By fostering an environment that supports the integration of mHealth applications into routine practice, healthcare organizations can improve both healthcare delivery and patient outcomes during health crises and beyond. The study provides critical insights for policymakers and healthcare managers seeking to enhance the acceptance and use of mHealth technologies in similar global contexts. Future research should examine the perspectives of other healthcare workers and patients for a comprehensive understanding of mHealth adoption while also exploring its long-term impact on patient outcomes and healthcare professionals.26 0Item Restricted USING UTAUT TO INVESTIGATE CORPORATE ACCEPTANCE OF OPTIONAL ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN SAUDI ARABIA(Northern Illinois University, 2023-12-18) Albahli, Asma; Ying XieThe pandemic and post pandemic job market showed the importance of online professional training for employees to improve professional skills necessary to acquire skills to adapt to the new environment and get promoted in their current professions, while contributing to organizations’ success. The present dissertation study utilized the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTUAT) as the theoretical lens to examine the effect of performance expectation (PE), effort expectancy (EE), and social influence (SI) on the behavioral intention (BI) of Saudi Arabian corporate employees working at organizations and companies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to use optional online training programs. This study also investigated whether gender moderated the relationship between Saudi corporate employees’ BI to utilize optional online professional development training programs and PE, EE, and SI. The results of the study indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence significantly predicted the employees’ behavioral intention to use online training. The findings also indicated that gender had no moderating effect on the relationships between the predictive relationship of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence with behavioral intention to use optional online training.47 0Item Restricted Technology Adoption For Language Learning Purposes In Conservative Territories In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-10-10) Mubarak, Rami; Millar, Robert McCollTeaching and learning the English language have become crucial endeavours in the Arab world, specifically in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, using technology for the purposes of learning the English language has also become central to the digital students of this generation. Before the successful adoption of technology for language learning purposes take place, factors that might impact students’ behavioural intention (BI) need to be investigated, particularly in relation to students coming from conservative territories. As such, in the current study, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was extended and utilised as a lens through which to spot these factors, whilst quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to answer the research questions. As for the number of participants, there were 220 males and 263 females. The findings indicated that learning expectancy (LE), effort expectancy (EE), attitude towards using technology (ATUT), hedonic motivation (HM), trust (TR) and habit (HT) had an influence on students’ behavioural intention (BI) towards accepting and using technology to learn the English language in technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) classrooms. In contrast, social influence (SI) and facilitating condition (FC) did not have any impact.18 0Item Restricted MEASURING THE USE OF LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) IN TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE AMONG TEACHERS IN SAUDI ARABIAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES(Saudi Digital Library, 2022-06-08) Alsaaid, Adeem; Abd Razak, Norizan; Wahi, WahizaNumerous studies have shown the necessity for learning management systems (LMS) for teachers in various locations around the world in recent times. Instructors dominate the learning process in the Saudi education system, and students look to them as their primary source of information. Thus, in order to have a profound understanding, this study used two approaches: the quantitative approach used the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), to examine the major factors (Performance Expectancy; Effort Expectancy; Social Influence; and Facilitating Condition) affecting the adoption of e-learning systems and the differences in gender roles among university instructors. Also, this study applied the qualitative approach in order to triangulate and verify the findings. In terms of the data collection, in the quantitative approach, a self-administered questionnaire was used, and data were obtained from 190 English instructors from 28 Saudi Arabian public colleges. For the qualitative section of the study, an interview based on semi structure was conducted. The interview was guided by interview protocol (interview guide), thus 14 informants were interviewed. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) (quantitative) and thematic analysis (qualitative) were used to evaluate the proposed research. So, the results of this study showed that performance expectancy and social influence are significant predictors in influencing instructors’ behavioural intention (BI) to use a blackboard system (BBS), whereas effort expectancy facilitating conditions showed insignificant results with behavioural intention (BI). Subsequently, behavioural intention (BI) was significantly related to actual user behaviour. This study also examined gender as a moderator in the relation of behavioural intention (BI) to use the blackboard system (BBS) and actual usage behaviour of (BBS). Therefore, the results revealed that the interaction effect of ‘Gender’ was significantly moderate to the relationship between (BI) to use (BBS) and actual usage behaviour of blackboard system (BBS), which was stronger for females compared to males. In addition, from the qualitative data, the study further concluded that the best practice of teaching foreign languages such as English in Saudi Arabia lies in the three modes of teaching. These modes of teaching include; the traditional method (face-to-face), the online method, and the group discussion. As shown in the qualitative analysis that for better teaching and learning for the student, teachers should adopt the online mode available to them. Concerning technology in teaching foreign languages, it is concluded that most teachers in Saudi prefer to use the old method than the new method (online). This is due to its technical problem, high cost, and lack of adaptation by the teachers. The study further concluded that only through the use of technology in education gender segregation can be minimised in a country such as Saudi. Therefore, technology can play a vital role in minimising gender segregation in education. Thus, the model of this study has provided theoretical contributions by filling in gaps and offering accurate information followed up by conclusive evidence. This technique can also be used by universities to boost job performance, maintain instructors with high potential and talent in Saudi Arabia, and strengthen instructors' perceptions of (LMS).32 0