A number of countries are today implementing open government data (OGD) initiatives. Yet many of these initiatives are failing to attract the levels of continuous use they need to deliver an ...acceptable return on investment. This raises the obvious question of why this should be the case. To answer this question, it is important to understand the factors that most strongly influence user behaviour in OGD adoption. Qualitative data were used to identify the factors that play a key role in influencing the intention to engage with ODG. A quantitative approach was then used to evaluate the extent to which these factors drive/limit behaviour. The study's findings showed that there are four factors that play a significant role in intention to use OGD. It is also believed that the findings will be useful in helping policymakers in all jurisdictions formulate and implement strategies that successfully drive up continuous OGD engagement.
Today, social commerce is one of the most rapidly growing subsectors of e-commerce, creating new opportunities for brands of all types and sizes. However, despite its popularity and potential, social ...commerce faces significant challenges, including issues of privacy, trust and ethics. This paper sets out to identify key aspects of privacy which influence ongoing user engagement with social commerce, so that social media, and other social commerce, platforms can more effectively address the issue. In particular, the paper seeks to determine the extent to which these aspects of privacy are a function of gender and, therefore, to increase our understanding of the role of gender in determining a user’s likelihood of sustainable engagement with s-commerce. To explore these issues, the study deploys a mixed methodology (semi-structured interviews and questionnaires) to examine the views of a broad demographic of s-commerce users in Saudi Arabia. The results allowed us to identify three distinct aspects of online privacy that significantly influence the likelihood of engaging in s-commerce and also demonstrated that the relative importance of these aspects is a function of gender. The study enhances current understanding of the role of gender in intention to use s-commerce and provides a framework for further research. The findings of the study will be of interest to all parties involved in the design and provision of s-commerce services, including social media platforms.
Recent advances in technology have made truly open and accessible government significantly more realisable. One of the ways in which governments are using this technology is in the implementation of ...online portals that allow open (i.e., public and unrestricted) access to data and use of data. Such portals can be used by citizens and professionals to facilitate improved decision-making across a wide range of areas, from car-parking to promoting entrepreneurialism. However, the existence of portals per se is not enough. To maximise their potential, users must also feel that they are both accessible and usable. To gain insights into the current state of usability of OGD portals for professionals working in data-related areas, a comparative study of the portals of the G7 group was carried out, using a mixed methodology. This is the first specific comparison of these portals for such users, as well as the first study to add a user-centred qualitative dimension to the research. The study’s findings showed that the G7 countries are not maximising the potential of their portals or collaborating effectively. Addressing these issues, and building better cross-national consistency, would help to improve the value delivered by investment in OGD portals. The study also further supported an existing user-centred, heuristic evaluation framework for application to a more specific user group, as well as more generally.
Over recent years, social commerce has evolved into a powerful segment of e-commerce, creating new opportunities for brands of all types and sizes. However, if social commerce is to continue to grow ...and deliver the many benefits it promises, it must address a number of key challenges, including privacy, trust, and ethical concerns. This paper explores the extent to which privacy issues affect the attitudes and behaviours of social media platform (SMP) users towards social commerce, and investigates whether these attitudes and behaviours are a function of cultural context. The approach adopted for the research is a two-stage method, which initially uses semi-structured interviews of social-commerce users to identify their key privacy concerns. These concerns are then used to develop, using the theory of reasoned action (TRA), a structural model that facilitates the formation of hypotheses which relate users’ attitudes to privacy to subsequent behaviour. This model is assessed by analysing the responses to a questionnaire from a large sample of participants. This allows us to evaluate the general accuracy of the model and to compare culturally distinct subgroups (Saudi vs. Chinese) using partial least-squares analysis. Results show good support for all of our hypotheses and indicate that there are clear cultural effects. One of these effects is the inadequacy of privacy policies implemented by SMP providers, regarding culturally specific ethical concerns.
With the expanding reach of the Internet of Things, information security threats are increasing, including from the very professionals tasked with defending against these threats. This study ...identified factors impacting information security behavior among these individuals. Protection motivation theory and the theory of planned behavior were employed along with work-related organizational factors as a theoretical framework. Data were collected through a survey of 595 information security professionals working in Saudi information technology companies. Structural equational modeling was used to analyze the data. Threat susceptibility, threat severity, self-efficacy, response cost, fear attitude, behavioral control, subjective norms, and organizational commitment were found to play a significant role in information security protection motivation and behavior, while job satisfaction did not.
A number of recent studies have shown that wastage and inefficiency are a significant problem in all global healthcare systems. One initiative that could radically improve the operational efficiency ...of health systems is to make a paradigm shift in data ownership-that is, to transition such systems to a patient-centric model of data management by deploying blockchain technology. Such a development would not only make an economic impact, by radically cutting wastage, but would deliver significant social benefits by improving patient outcomes and satisfaction. However, a blockchain-based solution presents considerable challenges. This research seeks to understand the principal factors, which act as barriers to the acceptance of a blockchain-based patient-centric data management infrastructure, in the healthcare systems of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. The study represents an addition to the current literature by examining the perspectives and views of healthcare professionals and users. This approach is rare within this subject area, and is identified in existing systematic reviews as a research gap: a qualitative investigation of motivations and attitudes among these groups is a critical need. The results of the study identified 12 key barriers to the acceptance of blockchain infrastructures, thereby adding to our understanding of the challenges that need to be overcome in order to benefit from this relatively recent technology. The research is expected to be of use to healthcare authorities in planning a way forward for system improvement, particularly in terms of successfully introducing patient-centric systems.
Modern telemedicine (TM) technologies play a crucial role in enhancing access to Assistive Technology in healthcare services. However, the full benefits of this technology will not be realized unless ...it is widely accepted among service users (patients). This study aimed to investigate the impact of patient trust and perceived risk on the acceptance of TM for Assistive Technology in healthcare.BackgroundModern telemedicine (TM) technologies play a crucial role in enhancing access to Assistive Technology in healthcare services. However, the full benefits of this technology will not be realized unless it is widely accepted among service users (patients). This study aimed to investigate the impact of patient trust and perceived risk on the acceptance of TM for Assistive Technology in healthcare.A comprehensive survey instrument was developed and refined through expert feedback and a pilot study, leading to data collection from 917 participants. The theoretical framework guiding this research was based on the Trust factors in TM, which helped in conceptualizing the factors influencing patient acceptance of TM.Materials and MethodsA comprehensive survey instrument was developed and refined through expert feedback and a pilot study, leading to data collection from 917 participants. The theoretical framework guiding this research was based on the Trust factors in TM, which helped in conceptualizing the factors influencing patient acceptance of TM.The study revealed a significant gap in patient trust in TM and highlighted the multifaceted nature of perceived risk, emphasizing the need to consider individual risk factors separately. Results also indicated that trust in technological reliability and the perceived effectiveness of TM were critical factors influencing its adoption. The findings underscore the importance of building trust among service users and promoting the reliability of TM for achieving desirable medical outcomes.ResultsThe study revealed a significant gap in patient trust in TM and highlighted the multifaceted nature of perceived risk, emphasizing the need to consider individual risk factors separately. Results also indicated that trust in technological reliability and the perceived effectiveness of TM were critical factors influencing its adoption. The findings underscore the importance of building trust among service users and promoting the reliability of TM for achieving desirable medical outcomes.In conclusion, to facilitate widespread acceptance of TM for Assistive Technology, a multi-faceted approach involving healthcare providers, organizations, and governments is essential to address patient concerns, enhance trust, and promote the benefits of this technology.ConclusionIn conclusion, to facilitate widespread acceptance of TM for Assistive Technology, a multi-faceted approach involving healthcare providers, organizations, and governments is essential to address patient concerns, enhance trust, and promote the benefits of this technology.
Open Government Data (OGD) initiatives can deliver many cultural and institutional benefits. This is why many governments are trying to establish an OGD ecosystem. However, although many countries ...have made good progress in doing so, some face significant challenges. In such cases, country-specific studies can prove valuable in understanding not only the current situation, but also in defining the obstacles to progress. As far as the authors of this paper can determine, this study is the first to examine the benefits of, and barriers to, implementation of the OGD initiative Saudi Arabia. The study conducts and analyses interviews with Saudi Arabian government officials in both leadership and technical positions, in order to obtain an informed view of the OGD initiative in Saudi. The study contributes to the existing knowledge base by identifying the main benefits of the Saudi Arabian Open Government Initiative and the barriers to its implementation.
Knowledge sharing strengthens individual creativity, critical thinking and innovation. It also improves research and development endeavors, performance and productivity at the organizational level. ...Knowledge sharing decreases the amount of red-tape faced by organizations, firms and individuals in achieving economic, as well as social improvements. Notwithstanding the plethora of empirical studies on knowledge sharing determinants, much confusion has been produced by differing conclusions. Using original data collected via questionnaires from a sample of 404 participants at a Saudi public university, this analysis tested the effect of social capital on knowledge sharing intentions and behaviors. Findings from the Structural Equation Model found support to the hypotheses claiming positive associations between social ties, trust, identification, reciprocity, shared language, and shared vision and knowledge sharing. This study proposes a practice-based strategy for higher learning institutions to improve knowledge sharing behaviors built on the two components of enhancing enabling environments and technical skills. On the theoretical level, this study argues that the effects of social capital constructs differ with respect to the context considered. In higher education, social capital is thought to have a weak significant positive explanatory power on knowledge sharing behaviors.
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