Abstract:

A country’s digital transformation agenda should combine a robust strategy and bespoke adoption and implementation of information technology processes. The digital transformative process requires wholehearted embrace and a change mindset from both private and public entities across all sectors, such as the manufacturing, finance, transport and service industries, to healthcare, and even education. Several factors classified into technical and human factors may affect the success or failure of implementing a digital transformative agenda. The human elements, which are deemed most important include user experience, user awareness and trustworthiness, whereas the technological factors comprise the functionality and security of the systems, applications or devices. This research-in-progress explores Saudi Arabia’s path to digital transformation as a key strategy towards achieving its Vision 2030 agenda. It will narrow down the digital transformation journey within the higher education sector and specifically the universities. It will seek to show the current status of this digital transformation in universities, highlight strengths and weaknesses of the implementation process and provide recommendations that can be adopted to successfully achieve digital transformation.