Description

Research Questions and Justification

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Research Questions and Justification
The topic to be explored is the role of digital transformation in enhancing efficiency of
administration in Saudi universities. The aim of this research will be to evaluate the current
trends and experiences of digital transformation in universities. The purpose of the research will
be to shed more light on the methods and approaches used as well as the outcome experienced so
far by staff in institutions that are implementing digital transformation. The appropriate
methodology for the study, therefore, is qualitative research integrating interviews and
questionnaires. The expected findings are qualitative findings on staff’s experiences, perceptions,
and an outline of the methods and approaches currently applied in digital transformation.
Research Importance
The importance of this research is in its contribution to national goals of digital
transformation. The Saudi Vision 2030 includes goals to invest in educational technology and
digital innovation, including digital transformation of institutions (Asem et al., 2024). The
efficiency of universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is important in working towards
strategic goals of these organizations. Digital transformation of institutions has been linked with
better quality of services and performance outcomes (Al-Anzi & Toukabri, 2025). Therefore, it is
important to examine the phenomenon in the context of Saudi universities.
Research Questions
1. What are the digital transformation interventions and projects implemented in Saudi
universities?
2. What is the perceived impact of the digital transformation of Saudi universities on
efficiency from the perspective of faculty and non-faculty staff members?

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Research Objectives
1. To determine the current state of and interventions aimed at digital transformation in
Saudi universities.
2. To determine faculty and non-faculty staff members’ perceived impact of digital
transformation on efficiency in the universities.
Research Contributions
This research will make several contributions to business and organization management
field. First, the research will outline the impact of digital transformation on organizational
administration efficiency. It will test the efficiency of such administration in the education sector
and hence provide evidence of success or failure, outlining key topics that could help guide
implementation of future digitization strategic plans. Secondly, the research may contribute to
improvement of quality of education. Research has shown that administration methods (success
or failure) are directly correlated to education quality and performance (Mohamed Hashim et al.,
2022). This study, therefore, will contribute to improving the quality and standards of education
in Saudi universities.

Literature Review
It has become relevant to prioritize digital transformation to enhance the administrative
efficiency of higher education institutions globally. The intensification of administrative
processes through the use of technologies, digital tools, and automation has transformed
administrative processes in universities to be more efficient, transparent, and operationally
responsive (Al-Emran et al., 2022). The reason is constant technological advancements; students
want to be part of the changes. With Saudi Vision 2030 targeting essential areas such as

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increasing university digitization to spur innovation and competitiveness on the global stage
(Asem et al., 2024), digital transformation in Saudi universities is especially significant. The
digitization of universities is crucial in the Saudi context because the Saudi Vision 2030 aims to
transform these sectors.
Concept of Digital Transformation in Higher Education
The use of digital tools, automation, and AI in areas such as enrollment, finance, staff
collaboration, and student support is what digital transformation in higher learning is all about
(Al-Anzi & Toukabri, 2021). It is not a simple technological evolution; it is a change in how
organizations operate and solve problems, requiring a conscious transition approach. The survey
by Tondeur et al. (2021) reveals that the institutions that have adopted digitalization have more
effective and efficient administrative processes, well-informed decision-making, and enhanced
service delivery to students and faculty members.
Current Trends in Digital Transformation in Universities
Nowadays, most universities have integrated technological solutions into their existing
systems to improve productivity and the quality of services. More innovative ways are
employing cloud computing to manage data, using AI chatbots to address student inquiries, and
utilizing blockchain technology to protect learners’ records (Al-Maroof et al., 2023). The
integration of enterprise resource planning ERP and learning management systems LMS has also
helped different groups within the university to collaborate. As indicated in the reviewed studies,
collaboration has led to decreased administrative tasks and improved productivity (Kumar et al.,
2022). Online learning platforms, computerized student record systems, and academic

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management applications are among the technologies that Saudi colleges have implemented to
enhance the productivity of institutional processes.
Impact of Digital Transformation on Administrative Efficiency
The literature shows that the adoption of digital systems has a positive impact on
university administration in that it eliminates hand-made errors, saves time in processing, and
provides enhanced data security (Rahman et al., 2022). Some of the ministry’s enhanced
efficiency endeavors involve the automation of grading, digital tracking of students’ attendance,
and even the adoption of artificial intelligence to manage teachers’ schedules. The transformation
lets administrative staff focus on long-term planning instead of doing repetitive tasks
(Choudhury et al., 2023). Digital change also makes real-time data analytics possible, which lets
university leaders make decisions based on correct and up-to-date data (Mohamed Hashim et al.,
2022).
Challenges and Barriers to Digital Transformation in Universities
Although there are benefits, universities meet several problems when they try to go
digital, such as people not wanting to change, high costs, and worries about security (Balyer &
Âz, 2021). Faculty and management staff may have trouble using new technologies if they do not
know how to use them or have not had enough training. Ashehri et al. (2023) concur with this by
explaining that data privacy and security risks harm universities, indicating that effective
cybersecurity frameworks are required to protect private information. Understanding these
problems is important to devising the right strategies for dealing with challenges and making
digital change more effective.
Conceptual Model

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The theoretical model for this research is derived from the effect of digital transformation
interventions on administration in Saudi universities. The model identifies key variables:
1. Independent Variable: Digital Transformation Interventions (e.g., ERP systems, AI tools,
cloud computing, blockchain technology, automated student services).
2. Dependent Variable: Administrative Efficiency (e.g., reduced processing time, improved
service delivery, enhanced decision-making, cost-effectiveness).
3. Mediating Variable: Staff Perceptions and Adoption (e.g., resistance to change, digital
literacy, user satisfaction).
4. Moderating Variable: Institutional Readiness (e.g., IT infrastructure, funding,
cybersecurity policies).
The model assumes that digital transformation interventions directly affect administrative
effectiveness and that staff perceptions and institutional preparedness may moderate the effect.
Hypotheses
According to the conceptual model and a review of the literature, the following hypotheses are
deemed worthy of testing:
H1: Analyzing digital transformation interventions impacts administrative efficiency in Saudi
Universities.
H2: Faculty and non-faculty staff perceptions moderate between the impact of digitization and
administrative effectiveness.

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H3: The level of institutional readiness mediates between digital transformation interventions
and administrative efficiency, meaning that universities with high institutional readiness will
benefit more from digital transformation interventions and activities.
H4: The resistance to change influences the failure to implement digital transformation strategies
in Saudi universities.
H5: This is because the institutions that have effective cybersecurity policies in place have better
efficiency in adopting Digital Transformation than those that do not.

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References
Al-Anzi, S. H. R., & Toukabri, M. (2025). The impact of digital modernity on administrative
performance in Saudi Universities. Journal of Management World, 2025(1), 268-277.

Asem, A., Mohammad, A. A., & Ziyad, I. A. (2024). Navigating digital transformation in
alignment with Vision 2030: A review of organizational strategies, innovations, and
implications in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Knowledge Learning and Science Technology
ISSN: 2959-6386 (online), 3(2), 21-29.
Mohamed Hashim, M. A., Tlemsani, I., & Matthews, R. (2022). Higher education strategy in
digital transformation. Education and Information Technologies, 27(3), 3171-3195.

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