Key Determinants of Successful Implementation of IT in International Commercial Bank

This research reports the results of a single case study that covers a successful project of IT implementation in International Commercial Bank (ICB) from the Egyptian banking industry. The case highlights leadership actions, as well as other related factors regarding effectiveness of IT implementation that are linked to strategic competitiveness and value creation. Multiple sources of data were used. Primary sources include in-depth interviews in semi-structured format with industry authorities, IT and retail banking managers, and the bank’s executives in general; whereas, secondary sources of data include annual reports, website information, and financial statements. Findings show that successful implementation was influenced by the interplay of several management practices, which eventually, had an impact on strategic competitiveness through their impact on some in-house attributes; notably, a dominating constructive cultural pattern leading to higher levels of organizational commitment, and the bank’s value chain.

Integrating Information Technology into the Corporate Culture and Processes

Most of the Information Systems (IS) literature discusses the importance of managerial problems in the field such as how to evaluate Information Technology (IT) needed for effective intra-organizational communication and how to measure the value of changes influenced by IT. This paper uses a literature review detailing the importance of understanding the components of IS and how they affect one another and on the importance of the selection of IT by managers. This paper builds a case study on a large company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with approximately 35,000 employees world-wide represented in approximately 100 countries. We analyze the reasons behind the failure of integrating IT with the culture, people, and processes in a Market Research Department of this company. Finally, the case study discusses the consequences of failing to understand IS and provides recommendations for a better integration of IT within the department.

Deciding to Use ICT in the Arab Culture

Compared to the Western world, the Arab world endures a lack of ICT use and a scarcity in software production and services. One of the explanations that were advanced in order to determine the reasons of these deficiencies is the Arab world’s cultural context. In this chapter, which reports on a doctoral research, we focus on two dominant values which are supposed to be descriptive of the Arab world: obedience to authority and collectivism. We examine their hypothesized influence on ICT use within an Arab context (Tunisia) and at an individual level. Data collection was carried out on 378 Tunisian students in three quasi-experimental settings measuring the degree of obedience, and by a pilot questionnaire determining, among other things, the level of collectivism. While the obedience to the authority figures appears to positively affect the probability of technology use in the first experiment, the rationality seems to influence choices in the second and third experiments, and to deny any pressure of the foreign nationality of the figure. The results of this study also reveal that all participants have a collectivistic tendency. However, the influence of collectivism is found to be mixed.

A Perspective on ICT Diffusion in the Arab Region

Interest in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Arab world has started to take different strides for many reasons. This growing endorsement of ICT is primarily attributed to economic and social development factors, and is driven by the aim to transform Arab society to a knowledge based society. Such an endeavor could be successfully achieved only through effective creation, adoption and innovation of the technology. This chapter examines the extant literature on ICT in the Arab world in order to glean the level of ICT investment and acceptance, and to attempt to understand the interplay of cultural practices and values on the successful implementations of ICT initiatives. The Arab countries are undergoing major development that is expected to culminate in tangible growth in many areas, attract the attention and interest of both businesses and researchers. This chapter also sets the scene and lays the foundation for the ICT discussions and investigations in the rest of the chapters of the textbook.

E-Learning Acceptance and Challenges in the Arab Region

This chapter discusses the status and quality of e-learning in Arab Universities located in the Middle East. The first objective of the study was to provide an analytical overview of the use of e-learning and its quality in these universities located in the Middle East region. Another objective is to fill the gap in literature in this particular topic regarding the Middle East region. Also draw into different solutions and recommendations in order to make a successful match that will result in a better adoption and serving of the e-learning technology. The study was based on two different approaches that include a survey to navigate the official web sites of universities in the region plus a questionnaire to fetch for the current stand of e-learning quality in the region. The results of each approach have been analyzed, and the outcomes and recommendations have been presented which can be used for future adoption and other related studies.

Electronic Readiness of Saudi Health Organizations

In this chapter, the author uses a questionnaire as an instrument s to evaluate the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in Saudi health organizations. Information and Communication Technology has become an important tool for improving the efficiency of health organizations. E-Health applications are increasingly being drawn into evaluating the Internet as a useful source of information on health by end-users. This chapter is an attempt to explore E-Health applications and related implementations issues in developing countries, and in particular Saudi Arabia.

Factors of Culture Affecting ICT Adoption in an Arab Society

The world is witnessing vast and rapid developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which can affect all aspects of our daily lives. This chapter aims to investigate cultural factors that influence the Saudis adoption of ICT. A questionnaire was used to gain insight 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, and the protection of Saudi culture.

Strategic Information Systems Planning in United Arab Emirates Organizations

This exploratory research focuses on SISP approaches in UAE organizations and their potential impacts on IS&T investment. The study uses a survey and simple model to characterize, classify and examine SISP approaches in 17 UAE organizations. Four typical cases deemed representative of the main SISP categories were examined further to determine specific strengths and weaknesses, and to appraise the suitability and effectiveness of each category considering the organization culture and business environment. The study concludes with emphasis on the importance of SISP to UAE organizations’ ability to achieve their business goals. It also suggests that the proposed SISP classification model can be used by UAE and Arab organizations to identify any inadequacies in their existing SISP approaches, and understand the cultural shift needed to adjust these approaches to guide effective investment in IS&T that is aligned with business strategy and focused on business objectives and goals.

ERP Post-implementation Adoption Success Dynamics

The purpose of this research is to explore the barriers of adoption and adaptation of Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) systems at the post implementation phase within Developing Countries (DCs) business culture. Human agency-related issues and IT materiality factors specific to the DCs business environment were researched within the framework of post-implementation use of cross-functional information systems in a longitudinal case study. Focus group teams, composed of business units’ end-users, managers and IT specialists (employment cohorts) were mobilized to elicit the causes of failing ERP services. The scope of this research fits within the studies that target the analysis of organizational adoption and use of ERP. Feedback loops analysis method was used for the study and presentation of the complex dynamic socio-technical behavior in enterprises to gain insight of the relationships among the many non-linear variables prevalent in the post implementation stage of the ERP lifecycle. Those variables were arrived at through canvassing stakeholder groups in the case firm, using focus group approach and the Causal Loop Diagramming as the analysis tool. The introduced methodology in this research is meant to highlight a new perspective to the understanding of the success model of ERP use and adoption.

ICT in Education

This chapter is based on work carried out as part of the scope of the ICT in Education project jointly sponsored by Jordan’s Ministry of Education and the British Council, with the participation of four other Middle Eastern countries (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories). The author’s main empirical findings and comments relate to the duration of the project (viz. between 2003 and 2008), showing how ICT in education brought positive impact on the delivery of teaching in class, and also how online forums can be utilized as opportunities to exchange invaluable information and knowledge in this sector. Current status, challenges, solutions and recommendations are based on the author’s findings and experience whilst managing and working on the project.