ACCE-GOV: A New Theoretical Framework for Cloud Computing Adoption for E-Government System in Developing Countries (Saudi Arabia Perspective)

Abstract

Background: Electronic government (e-government) systems formed from the aggregation of various government organisations providing online services through web interfaces has be- come more common. This is a consequence of increasing use of the Internet to access infor- mation and services whereby governments engage new technologies to provide information and data to increase effective adoption of their organisations’ online services. One technology that serves to enhance the provision of online services is cloud computing. A cloud is a model that functions as a parallel system and a distributor; and consists of a set of interconnected virtual machines that are dynamically displayed and connected to share the service that has been estab- lished by the service provider. Therefore, if e-government organisations systems suffer from numerous barriers to the adoption of new technologies, that would have various impacts on the development of effective e-government. The most significant factors, such as security, top man- agement support, regulations, and awareness are derived from the technological, organisational, environmental and social contexts that impact the adoption of cloud computing in the e-govern- ment system considered in this research. This research thus also assists the government deci- sion-makers to understand these factors in seeking to improve e-government organisations sys- tems. Aims and Objectives: The research aims are to determine and examine the more critical factors that influence the adoption of cloud computing in an e-government system. This research reviews the literature that represented the majority of challenges and issues that influence the adoption of e-government systems; and also takes into account the experiences of top govern- ment management and IT employees in government organisations that have an e-government system. The research theoretical model of the adoption of cloud computing in e-government is based on a Technology, Organisations and Environment (TOE) framework with the addition of a Social context. Consequently, a conceptual framework is proposed for the successful devel- opment and adoption of cloud computing in the e-government system (ACCE-GOV) to improve government services, maximize performance, reduce the cost of maintenance and promote the e-government system. Methods: A mixed methods research methodology has been applied; with quantitative (sur- vey) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) methods used in a complementary manner. 1 Firstly, the main method of data collection was quantitative and utilised a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed in different government organisations in Saudi Arabia, elec- tronically and manually, to be more comprehensive. The participants were those working in IT departments; The target sample size was around 383 respondents. The survey data was analysed using the research model and validated using descriptive statistics as well as the structural equa- tion model (SEM). Secondly, qualitative research data were collected via 8 detailed semi-struc- tured interviews to represent the perspectives of senior IT managers in eight Saudi government organisations. A thematic analysis was carried out to examine the critical factors based on the technological, organisational, environmental and social dimensions that may influence the adoption of cloud computing in e-government systems in the Saudi government context. Results: This research makes a significant contribution to the field of the adoption of cloud computing in e-government systems. The research has essentially investigated the critical fac- tors that should be taken into account by the Saudi government to develop an e-government system via the adoption of cloud computing. This study has combined various factors into a proposed comprehensive conceptual framework that identi