Analysis Study of Culture’s Impact on E-Readiness Assessments in Developing Countries

Ali Nasser Al-Kinani and Badr M.N. Al-Besher

Dr. Ali Nasser Al-Kinani, Director of Enterprises Resources Planning Systems King Abdulaziz Medical city, P.O. Box 286089 Riyadh 11323, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Badr M.N. Al-Besher, Head of E-Learning Department, King Faisal Air Academy, P.O. Box 37254, Riyadh 11439, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Nowadays the world is witnessing huge and rapid developments in Information and Communication Technology [ICT] systems which can affect all aspects of our daily lives. Therefore, no country in the world can live in an environment isolated from the rest of the world. This paper aims to review some of the existing cultural factors, to identify their impact on the e-readiness process in the Developing Countries, and to discuss to what extent they can really fulfill their intention in acting and helping to build blocks of an e-readiness assessment framework as guiding tools in the successful introduction and implementation of eReadiness. Based on this discussion, the paper presents these blocks – categorized into eight factors which cover some important cultural issues that should be addressed when setting an appraisal framework of eReadiness success in Saudi Arabia as developing County. These factors ware designed to seek information related to the influence of Saudi culture on the adoption of ICT systems. Eight questions sought information related to business language, communication language, culture and ICT R&D, support of the Saudi Arabia government of production development, consistency of Internet with local culture, openness of the culture of the country to foreign influence, the impact of employees’ culture on their work, ICT and the protection of Saudi culture.  Researchers are conducting survey and 30 interviews to collect data for this study.  Descriptive statistical methods are used to find the means, percentages to find the differences between the public and private sectors.

Keywords: Culture, E-Readiness, Information and Communication Ttechnology (ICT).
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