Logo PTI Logo FedCSIS

Proceedings of the 20th Conference on Computer Science and Intelligence Systems (FedCSIS)

Annals of Computer Science and Information Systems, Volume 43

Digital Transformation in Saudi Public Universities: A Novel Framework for Adoption Drivers and Impact Analysis

, ,

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15439/2025F8917

Citation: Proceedings of the 20th Conference on Computer Science and Intelligence Systems (FedCSIS), M. Bolanowski, M. Ganzha, L. Maciaszek, M. Paprzycki, D. Ślęzak (eds). ACSIS, Vol. 43, pages 87–98 ()

Full text

Abstract. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 prioritises digital transformation (DX) to modernise higher education, aligning with global trends in leveraging technology to enhance institutional performance. Despite significant investments, Saudi public universities (SPU) face challenges in digital transformation adoption (DXA) due to limited context-specific frameworks addressing their unique regulatory, cultural, and institutional conditions. This study proposes the DXA-SPU framework, integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) frameworks. A mixed-methods approach surveyed 447 SPU stakeholders, analysed via Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), with ongoing qualitative interviews to validate findings. Results confirm 13 of 14 hypotheses were confirmed, identifying perceived usefulness, ease of use, and regulatory alignment as key drivers of DX adoption, significantly enhancing institutional performance, administrative efficiency, technical infrastructure, and teaching effectiveness. The DXA-SPU framework offers a validated tool for SPU leaders to assess DX readiness and align strategies with Vision 2030, providing policymakers with insights to advance Saudi Arabia's knowledge economy.

References

  1. G. C. Kane, D. Palmer, A. N. Phillips, D. Kiron, and N. Buckley, “Strategy, not technology, drives digital transformation,” MIT Sloan Manag Rev, 2015.
  2. D. Tang, “What is digital transformation?,” EDPACS, vol. 64, no. 1, pp. 9–13, 2021.
  3. OECD, “Saudi Arabia,” in in Education at a Glance 2017: OECD Indicators, Paris: OECD Publishing, 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.1787/eag-2017-82-en.
  4. I. Mergel, N. Edelmann, and N. Haug, “Defining digital transformation: Results from expert interviews,” Gov Inf Q, vol. 36, no. 4, p. 101385, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2019.06.002.
  5. M. Alonazi, “MGAUM: a new framework for the mobile government service adoption in Saudi Arabia.,” University of Sussex, 2019. https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1316598.
  6. A. C. A. Viana, “Digital transformation in public administration: from e-Government to digital government,” International Journal of digital law, no. 1, pp. 29–44, 2021.
  7. L. Stark, D. Greene, and A. L. Hoffmann, “Critical perspectives on governance mechanisms for AI/ML systems,” The cultural life of machine learning: An incursion into critical AI studies, pp. 257–280, 2021.
  8. L. M. C. Benavides, J. A. Tamayo Arias, M. D. Arango Serna, J. W. Branch Bedoya, and D. Burgos, “Digital transformation in higher education institutions: A systematic literature review,” Sensors, vol. 20, no. 11, p. 3291, 2020.
  9. V. J. García-Morales, A. Garrido-Moreno, and R. Martín-Rojas, “The Transformation of Higher Education After the COVID Disruption: Emerging Challenges in an Online Learning Scenario,” Front Psychol, vol. Volume 12-2021, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.616059
  10. H. Abdulrahim and F. Mabrouk, “COVID-19 and the digital transformation of Saudi higher education.,” Asian Journal of Distance Education, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 291–306, 2020.
  11. B. Bygstad, E. Øvrelid, S. Ludvigsen, and M. Dæhlen, “From dual digitalization to digital learning space: Exploring the digital transformation of higher education,” Comput Educ, vol. 182, p. 104463, Feb. 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104463.
  12. A. Aldiab, H. Chowdhury, A. Kootsookos, F. Alam, and H. Allhibi, “Utilization of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) in higher education system: A case review for Saudi Arabia,” Energy Procedia, vol. 160, pp. 731–737, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2019.02.186.
  13. M. Bond, V. I. Marín, C. Dolch, S. Bedenlier, and O. Zawacki-Richter, “Digital transformation in German higher education: student and teacher perceptions and usage of digital media,” International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 48, 2018, https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s41239-018-0130-1.
  14. A. Fernández, B. Gómez, K. Binjaku, and E. K. Meçe, “Digital transformation initiatives in higher education institutions: A multivocal literature review,” Educ Inf Technol (Dordr), vol. 28, no. 10, pp. 12351–12382, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11544-0.
  15. A. Alghamdi, “Digital Transformation within Saudi Education System: 2020 and Beyond,” vol. 6, pp. 419–425, Sep. 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.26855/er.2022.08.014.
  16. A. Alhubaishy and A. Aljuhani, “The Challenges of Instructors’ and Students’ Attitudes in Digital Transformation: A Case Study of Saudi Universities,” Educ Inf Technol (Dordr), vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 4647–4662, 2021, https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10491-6.
  17. T. M. Khawaji, “Digital Transformation Requirements at Saudi Universities from Faculty Members’ Perspectives,” International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security, vol. 23, no. 11, pp. 8–20, 2023.
  18. I. Almatrodi and D. Skoumpopoulou, “Organizational Routines and Digital Transformation: An Analysis of How Organizational Routines Impact Digital Transformation Transition in a Saudi University,” Systems, vol. 11, no. 5, p. 239, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/systems11050239.
  19. M. Alenezi and M. Akour, “Digital Transformation Blueprint in Higher Education: A Case Study of PSU,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 10, p. 8204, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su15108204.
  20. A. Omar and A. almaghthawi, “Towards an Integrated Model of Data Governance and Integration for the Implementation of Digital Transformation Processes in the Saudi Universities,” International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, vol. 11, no. 8, 2020, https://dx.doi.org/10.14569/ijacsa.2020.0110873.
  21. F. D. Davis, “Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology,” MIS quarterly, pp. 319–340, 1989.
  22. L. G. Tornatzky, M. Fleischer, and A. K. Chakrabarti, “The processes of technological innovation,” (No Title), 1990.
  23. T. V. H. Trieu and D. Pavelková, “Differences of education level and job position in digital transformation adoption in Vietnam’s creative industries,” Journal of Eastern European and Central Asian Research (JEECAR), vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 409–421, 2022.
  24. A. Al-Motrif, “Digital learning in Saudi University: evaluating digital transformation post Covid-19,” Technol Anal Strateg Manag, vol. 36, no. 12, pp. 4440–4454, Dec. 2024, https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2023.2255292.
  25. A. Allmnakrah and C. Evers, “The need for a fundamental shift in the Saudi education system: Implementing the Saudi Arabian economic vision 2030,” Research in Education, vol. 106, no. 1, pp. 22–40, 2020.
  26. F. J. M. Veiga and A. M. V. de Andrade, “Critical Success Factors in Accepting Technology in the Classroom,” International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), vol. 16, no. 18, pp. 4–22, Sep. 2021, https://dx.doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i18.23159.
  27. K. Sarnok, P. Wannapiroon, and P. Nilsook, “DTL-eco system by digital storytelling to develop knowledge and digital intelligence for teacher profession students,” International Journal of Information and Education Technology, vol. 10, no. 12, pp. 865–872, 2020.
  28. F. Mahmood, A. Z. Khan, and M. B. Khan, “Digital organizational transformation issues, challenges and impact: A systematic literature review of a decade.,” Abasyn University Journal of social sciences, vol. 12, no. 2, 2019.
  29. A. W. Bates, Teaching in a digital age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning. BCcampus, 2015.
  30. M. Warschauer, “Computer-assisted language learning: An introduction,” Multimedia language teaching, vol. 320, 1996.
  31. M. Meyerhoff Nielsen, “Governance lessons from Denmark’s digital transformation,” in Proceedings of the 20th annual international conference on digital government research, 2019, pp. 456–461.
  32. J. K. Nwankpa and Y. Roumani, “IT capability and digital transformation: A firm performance perspective,” 2016.
  33. N. Verina and J. Titko, “Digital transformation: conceptual framework,” in Proc. of the Int. Scientific Conference “Contemporary Issues in Business, Management and Economics Engineering, 2019, pp. 9–10.
  34. G. Vial, “Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda,” The journal of strategic information systems, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 118–144, 2019.
  35. V. Venkatesh, J. Y. L. Thong, and X. Xu, “Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology,” MIS quarterly, pp. 157–178, 2012.
  36. E. Henriette, M. Feki, and I. Boughzala, “Digital transformation challenges,” 2016.
  37. T. Hess, C. Matt, A. Benlian, and F. Wiesböck, “Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy,” MIS Quarterly Executive, vol. 15, pp. 123–139, Jun. 2016.
  38. L. S. Rodrigues, “Challenges of digital transformation in higher education institutions: A brief discussion,” in Proceedings of 30th IBIMA Conference, 2017.
  39. J. Li, W. Xiao, and C. Zhang, “Data security crisis in universities: Identification of key factors affecting data breach incidents,” Humanit Soc Sci Commun, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–18, 2023.
  40. Y. Chen and S. Barnes, “Initial trust and online buyer behaviour,” Industrial management & data systems, 2007.
  41. S. Hu, K. Laxman, and K. Lee, “Exploring factors affecting academics’ adoption of emerging mobile technologies-an extended UTAUT perspective,” Educ Inf Technol (Dordr), vol. 25, pp. 4615–4635, 2020.
  42. A. Kitsantas and N. Dabbagh, “The role of Web 2.0 technologies in self‐regulated learning,” New directions for teaching and learning, vol. 2011, no. 126, pp. 99–106, 2011.
  43. H. Al-Mawali, A. Al Sharif, G. M. A. Rumman, F. Kerzan, and G. Liu, “Environmental strategy, environmental management accounting and organizational performance: evidence from the United Arab Emirates market,” Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 109–118, 2018.
  44. D. T. Thao, “DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN EDUCATION AT THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY,” 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7858927.
  45. M. Alojail, J. Alshehri, and S. B. Khan, “Critical Success Factors and Challenges in Adopting Digital Transformation in the Saudi Ministry of Education,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 21, p. 15492, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su152115492.
  46. K. Dengler and B. Matthes, “The impacts of digital transformation on the labour market: Substitution potentials of occupations in Germany,” Technol Forecast Soc Change, vol. 137, pp. 304–316, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2018.09.024.
  47. V. Bikse, L. Grinevica, B. Rivza, and P. Rivza, “Consequences and Challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Impact on the development of Employability Skills,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 12, p. 6970, 2022.
  48. A. Morgan, R. Sibson, and D. Jackson, “Digital demand and digital deficit: conceptualising digital literacy and gauging proficiency among higher education students,” Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 258–275, May 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2022.2030275.
  49. B. A-khateeb, Technological Skills and Job Employment in Universities in Saudi Arabia. 2020. https://dx.doi.org/10.33422/6th.omeaconf.2020.09.209.
  50. N. S. Alotaibi, “The Significance of Digital Learning for Sustainable Development in the Post-Covid19 World in Saudi Arabia’s Higher Education Institutions,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 23, p. 16219, 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su142316219.
  51. G. S. Alessa, “The Dimensions of Transformational Leadership and Its Organizational Effects in Public Universities in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review,” Front Psychol, vol. 12, 2021, https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.682092.
  52. N. Hassan, A. Hussain, M. A. Bhatti, and T. Ahmad, “Perceived Administrative Service Efficiency in Academia: A Case Study of International Islamic University Islamabad,” Irasd Journal of Management, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 449–464, 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.52131/jom.2022.0402.0091.
  53. M. Alsharyofi, “The Role of Knowledge Management in Raising the Saudi Universities Performance Efficiency: An Applied Study on the Administrative Body of King Abdulaziz University,” Ijiis International Journal of Informatics and Information Systems, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 101–107, 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.47738/ijiis.v5i2.133.
  54. N. H. Thanh, “Digital Transformation: Smart Strategy in Administrative Reform in Vietnam,” Hightech and Innovation Journal, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 328–345, 2021, https://dx.doi.org/10.28991/hij-2021-02-04-06.
  55. C. T. D. Tran, B. Dollery, and S. R. Yarram, “The Influence of Administrative Intensity on Efficiency: An Empirical Analysis of Australian Universities,” Economic Papers a Journal of Applied Economics and Policy, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 282–305, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1759-3441.12387.
  56. Y. Purwanti, B. H. Purwanto, and M. Jamaludin, “Citizen Participation in Electronic Public Administration: The Considerations of Functionality and the Technology Acceptance Model,” International Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 90–101, 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.18488/74.v9i4.3206.
  57. T. Trisninawati, “University Performance in the Era of Digital Transformation,” Journal La Sociale, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1021–1029, 2024, https://dx.doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v5i4.1236.
  58. A. Alomar, “COVID-19 and the Digital Transformation That Followed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Academic Journal of Research and Scientific Publishing, vol. 5, no. 53, pp. 05–17, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.52132/ajrsp.e.2023.53.1.
  59. H. A. Elhawa, “Coronateaching in a Palestinian University: Changes, Challenges, and New Conceptions,” 2021, https://dx.doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211224.003.
  60. R. A. Al-Samiri, “English Language Teaching in KSA in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Positive Outcomes,” Arab World English Journal, no. 1, pp. 147–159, 2021, https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/covid.11.
  61. M. Hassounah, H. Raheel, and M. Alhefzi, “Digital Response During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia,” J Med Internet Res, vol. 22, no. 9, p. e19338, 2020, https://dx.doi.org/10.2196/19338.
  62. H. Brdesee, “A Divergent View of the Impact of Digital Transformation on Academic Organizational and Spending Efficiency: A Review and Analytical Study on a University E-Service,” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 13, p. 7048, 2021, https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13137048.
  63. M. A. Salem, W. H. Alsyed, and I. A. Elshaer, “Before and Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Self-Perception of Digital Skills in Saudi Arabia Higher Education: A Longitudinal Study,” Int J Environ Res Public Health, vol. 19, no. 16, p. 9886, 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169886.
  64. K. Sendi and M. H. Alhumsi, “Teaching Research Methodology to Undergraduate Students Using Collaborative Learning Approach in a Blended Learning Environment at Saudi Electronic University,” World Journal of English Language, vol. 13, no. 7, p. 171, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v13n7p171.
  65. Y. H. Al‐Mamary and K. K. Al-Shammari, “Determining Factors That Can Influence the Understanding and Acceptance of Advanced Technologies in Universities’ Teaching and Learning,” International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 87–95, 2023, https://dx.doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2023.03.012.
  66. ODP, “Total administrative and technical staff by educational institution and academic qualification from 2013 to 2020,” Open Date Platform . Accessed: Jul. 07, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://open.data.gov.sa/en/datasets/view/4eca942f-9719-4f46-a7a6-59312136e7d5/resources
  67. ODP, “Data of faculty members in university education,” Open Date Platform . Accessed: Jul. 07, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://open.data.gov.sa/en/datasets/view/269d0068-0f67-4483-b08b-efc21f9d7900/resources
  68. M. C. Parent, “Handling item-level missing data: Simpler is just as good,” Couns Psychol, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 568–600, 2013.
  69. Y. Lebeau and J. and Alruwaili, “Convergence and local orders in the dynamics of change in higher education: a perspective from Saudi Arabia,” Policy Reviews in Higher Education, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 6–26, Jan. 2022, https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23322969.2021.1904791.
  70. P. C. Verhoef et al., “Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda,” J Bus Res, vol. 122, pp. 889–901, 2021.
  71. F. Abolhassan, The drivers of digital transformation Why There’s No Way Around the Cloud. Springer, 2017.
  72. J. C. Bertot, E. Estevez, and T. Janowski, “Digital public service innovation: Framework proposal,” in Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance, 2016, pp. 113–122.
  73. N. Kshetri, “1 Blockchain’s roles in meeting key supply chain management objectives,” Int J Inf Manage, vol. 39, pp. 80–89, 2018.