m-Government Adoption in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Opportunities

Aim And Objectives Of The Study

The aim of this study is to analyse the challenges and opportunities which are associated with the implementation of m-government services in Saudi Arabia. This aim is met by fulfilling the following objectives:

• 1.

  To explore the benefits which are associated with m-government for both Saudi citizens and government employees;

• 2.

  To identify the key challenges which may prevent the uptake of m-government in Saudi Arabia;

• 3.

  To identify the steps which should be taken in order to increase the effectiveness of m-government.

The Concept Of Mobile Government

A range of research has been conducted into the development of m government services in other countries. For example, Jotischky and Nye (2011) suggest that the growth in the range of m government services which has occurred in many African countries in tandem with an increase in mobile penetration is likely to increase the transparency of political processes. However, Bhavnani, Chiu, Janakiram and Silarszky (2008) argue that their research in the introduction of m government services in India demonstrates the importance of it being rooted in government policy framework. In particular, it is suggested that the implementation of a Mobile Service Delivery Gateway to act as a bridge between the country’s mobile service users and the existing e governance infrastructure of the government is highly effective at broadening the reach of m-government services to rural citizens.