Analyzing Critical Success Factors That Affect the Adoption of Digital Transformation for Achieving Sustainability in Kuwait’s Higher Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70301/

Keywords:

digital transformation, sustainability, technology adoption

Abstract

This study evaluates the adoption of digital transformation (DT) in Kuwait’s Higher Education Institutions (KHEIs), focusing on four key dimensions: technology, organization, environment, and individual/human. It also explores emerging context-specific factors. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative data through statistical analyses—linear regression, multiple regression, two-tailed t-tests, and one-way ANOVA—with qualitative data analyzed via thematic coding. Findings show that most critical factors across the four dimensions significantly relate to DT adoption. However, partnerships and industry digitalization levels did not significantly predict DT (F(1, 384) = 0.63, p = .427; F(1, 384) = 0.21, p = .650). The two-tailed t-tests showed no significant differences in DT adoption based on position, gender, nationality, or sector. A one-way ANOVA also revealed no significant differences across age groups (F(4, 381) = 1.88, p = .113). Qualitative results highlighted two emerging individual-level factors: perceived behavior and awareness. These insights reflect the importance of addressing both internal and external influences on DT success. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies in KHEIs that consider the full range of technical, organizational, and human factors, along with stakeholder perspectives, to effectively manage digital transformation efforts.

Author Biography

  • Eng. Hania El-Kanj, SBS Swiss Business School

    I am a dedicated and passionate professional with over 20 years of experience in undergraduate teaching, specializing in Electrical and Communication Engineering. My academic career spans more than 26 years, during which I have served at four distinguished universities, progressively advancing through various academic and administrative roles.

    Throughout my journey, I have continuously sought professional growth by actively participating in workshops, conferences, and seminars, and engaging in scholarly research. These experiences have enriched my teaching and contributed to my development as an educator and academic leader.

    I am currently serving at the Australian University, Kuwait, where I remain committed to fostering student success, promoting innovation in education, and contributing meaningfully to the academic community.

    https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hania-Elkanj
    https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=96Z21rsAAAAJ&hl=en
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2698-6248
    https://au-kw.academia.edu/HaniaELKANJ

References

Abad-Segura, E., González-Zamar, M. D., Infante-Moro, J. C., & Ruipérez García, G. (2020). Sustainable management of digital transformation in higher education: Global research trends. Sustainability, 12(5), 2107. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12052107

Ajonbadi, H. A., Adekoya, O. D., Mojeed-Sanni, B., & Olawoyin, F. S. (2023). Exploring the impacts of transformational leadership on transformational teaching in higher education: Empirical evidence from Kuwait. In Sustaining Higher Education Through Resource Allocation, Learning Design Models, and Academic Development (pp. 175-202). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-7059-6.ch008

Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall

Al Mutawa, L. (2023). Kuwait: An Interplay of Socio-Economics and Identity (Master’s thesis, Tufts University). Retrieved from https://www.layalalmutawa.com/

Alenezi, M. (2023). Digital learning and digital institution in higher education. Education Sciences, 13(1), 88. https://doi.orh/10.34190/ejel.20.5.2597

Alenezi, M., & Akour, M. (2023). Digital Transformation Blueprint in Higher Education: A Case Study of PSU. Sustainability, 15(10), 8204. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108204

Alojail, M., & Khan, S. B. (2023). Impact of digital transformation toward sustainable development. Sustainability, 15(20), 14697. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014697

Al-Okaily, M. (2023). Does AIS usage matter in SMEs’ performance? An empirical investigation under the digital transformation revolution. Information Discovery and Delivery, (ahead-of-print).

AlShamali, S., Hajeeh, M., & AlKhayat, A. (2023). E-Learning in Kuwait: Students’ Perspective. Journal on Efficiency and Responsibility in Education and Science, 16(2), 85-101. https://doi.org/10.7160/eriesj.2023.160201

Alshehab, A., Alfozan, T., Gaderrab, H. F., Alahmad, M. A., & Alkandari, A. (2022). Identifying significant elements of the digital transformation of organizatios in Kuwait. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 26(1), 318. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v26.i1.pp318-325

Anthony, B., Kamaludin, A., Romli, A., Raffei, A. F. M., Phon, D. N. A. E., Abdullah, A., & Ming, G. L. (2022). Blended learning adoption and implementation in higher education: A theoretical and systematic review. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 1-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-020-09477-z

Awa, H. O., Ojiabo, O. U., & Orokor, L. E. (2017). Integrated technology-organization-environment (TOE) taxonomies for technology adoption. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 30(6), 893-921. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-03-2016-0079

Bailey, D. R., Almusharraf, N., & Almusharraf, A. (2022). Video conferencing in the e-learning context: explaining learning outcome with the technology acceptance model. Education and Information Technologies, 27(6), 7679-7698. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-10949-1

Benavides, L. M. C., Tamayo Arias, J. A., Arango Serna, M. D., Branch Bedoya, J. W., & Burgos, D. (2020). Digital transformation in higher education institutions: A systematic literature review. Sensors, 20(11), 3291. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113291

Bin, M., & Hui, G. (2021). A systematic review of factors influencing digital transformation of SMEs. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT), 12(11), 1673-1686. https://doi.org/10.17762/turcomat.v12i11.6102

Bogdandy, B., Tamas, J., & Toth, Z. (2020). Digital Transformation in education during COVID-19: A case study. 2020 11th IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Infocommunications (CogInfoCom). https://doi.org/10.1109/coginfocom50765.2020.9237840

Burov, O., Lytvynova, S., Lavrov, E., Krylova-Grek, Y., Orliyk, O., Petrenko, S., ... & Tkachenko, O. M. (2020). Cybersecurity in educational networks. In Intelligent Human Systems Integration 2020: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Intelligent Human Systems Integration (IHSI 2020): Integrating People and Intelligent Systems, February 19-21, 2020, Modena, Italy (pp. 359-364). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39512-4_56

Cho, J., Cheon, Y., Jun, J. W., & Lee, S. (2021). Digital advertising policy acceptance by out-of-home advertising firms: A combination of Tam and toe framework. International Journal of Advertising, 41(3), 500–518. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2021.1888562

Davis, F. D., Granić, A., & Marangunić, N. (2023). The technology acceptance model 30 years of TAM. Technology.

DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R.(1992). Information systems success: the quest for the dependent variable. Information Systems Research. 3 (1): 60-95. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.3.1.60.

El Hilali, W., El Manouar, A., & Idrissi, M. A. J. (2020). Reaching sustainability during a digital transformation: a PLS approach. International Journal of Innovation Science, 12(1), 52-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-08-2019-0083

ElMassah, S., & Mohieldin, M. (2020). Digital transformation and localizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Ecological Economics, 169, 106490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106490

Faqih, K. M. (2020). The influence OF perceived usefulness, social influence, internet self-efficacy and compatibility ON USERS’INTENTIONS to adopt e-learning: investigating the moderating effects OF culture. IJAEDU-International E-Journal of Advances in Education, 5(15), 300-320.

Farias-Gaytan, S., Aguaded, I., & Ramirez-Montoya, M. S. (2023). Digital transformation and digital literacy in the context of complexity within higher education institutions: a systematic literature review. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-11.

Feliciano-Cestero, M. M., Ameen, N., Kotabe, M., Paul, J., & Signoret, M. (2023). Is digital transformation threatened? A systematic literature review of the factors influencing firms’ digital transformation and internationalization. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113546

Feroz, A. K., Zo, H., & Chiravuri, A. (2021). Digital transformation and environmental sustainability: A review and research agenda. Sustainability, 13(3), 1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031530

Frankiewicz, B., & Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2020). Digital transformation is about talent, not technology. Harvard Business Review, 6(3), 1-6.

Fu, Y., & Lee, Y. C. (2020). Examining the influencing factors of digital transformation using TOE and innovation diffusion theory: Empirical evidence from Chinese Enterprises. 한국경영정보학회 정기 학술대회, 350-351.

Goh, E., & Sigala, M. (2020). Integrating Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) into classroom instruction: teaching tips for hospitality educators from a diffusion of innovation approach. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, 20(2), 156-165. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2020.1740636

Hafseld, K. H., Hussein, B., & Rauzy, A. B. (2021). An attempt to understand complexity in a government digital transformation project. International Journal of Information Systems and Project Management, 9(3), 70-91.

Haque, A. B., Islam, A. N., Hyrynsalmi, S., Naqvi, B., & Smolander, K. (2021). GDPR compliant blockchains–a systematic literature review. IEEE Access, 9, 50593-50606. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3069877

Hemdan, E. E. D., El-Shafai, W., & Sayed, A. (2023). Integrating Digital Twins with IoT-Based Blockchain: Concept, Architecture, Challenges, and Future Scope. Wireless Personal Communications, 131, 2193–2216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-023-10538-6

Ji, X., & Li, W. (2022). Digital Transformation: A Review and Research Framework. Frontiers in Business, Economics and Management, 5(3), 21–27. https://doi.org/10.54097/fbem.v5i3.1898

Jöhnk, J., Ollig, P., Oesterle, S., & Riedel, L. N. (2020). The Complexity of Digital Transformation-Conceptualizing Multiple Concurrent Initiatives. In Wirtschaftsinformatik (Zentrale Tracks) (pp. 1051-1066).

Kitsios, F., Giatsidis, I., & Kamariotou, M. (2021). Digital transformation and strategy in the banking sector: Evaluating the acceptance rate of e-services. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 7(3), 204.

Kraus, S., Durst, S., Ferreira, J. J., Veiga, P., Kailer, N., & Weinmann, A. (2022). Digital transformation in business and management research: An overview of the current status quo. International Journal of Information Management, 63, 102466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102466

Kuwait’s DPPR - Securiti. (2020, July 16). Retrieved from https://securiti.ai/kuwait-data-privacy-protection-regulation/

Li, F., Long, J., & Zhao, W. (2022). Mining Braces of Innovation Linking to Digital Transformation Grounded in TOE Framework. Sustainability, 15(1), 301. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010301

Lutfi, A., Al-Okaily, M., Alsyouf, A., & Alrawad, M. (2022). Evaluating the D&M IS success model in the context of accounting information system and sustainable decision making. Sustainability, 14(13), 8120. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138120

Martínez-Peláez, R., Ochoa-Brust, A., Rivera, S., Félix, V. G., Ostos, R., Brito, H., ... & Mena, L. J. (2023). Role of digital transformation for achieving sustainability: mediated role of stakeholders, key capabilities, and technology. Sustainability, 15(14), 11221. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411221

Masood, T. & Egger, J. (2019). Augmented reality in support of Industry 4.0—Implementation challenges and success factors. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing. 58. 181-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2019.02.003

Gholami, A., Kwon, K., Wu, B., Tai, Z., Yue, X., Jin, P., ... & Keutzer, K. (2018). Squeezenext: Hardware-aware neural network design. In Proceedings of the IEEE conference on computer vision and pattern recognition workshops (pp. 1638-1647).

Mohamed Hashim, M. A., Tlemsani, I., & Matthews, R. (2021). Higher education strategy in digital transformation. Education and Information Technologies, 27, 3171–3195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10739-1

Mugge, P., Abbu, H., Michaelis, T., Kwiatkowski, A., & Gudergan, G. (2020) Patterns of Digitization, Research-Technology Management, 63:2, 27-35, DOI: 10.1080/08956308.2020.1707003

Nguyen, T. H., Le, X. C., & Vu, T. H. L. (2022). An extended technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework for online retailing utilization in digital transformation: empirical evidence from Vietnam. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(4), 200. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8040200

Oubrahim, I., & Sefiani, N. (2023). Exploring the drivers and barriers to digital transformation adoption for sustainable supply chains: a comprehensive overview. Acta Logistica (AL), 10(2), 305-317. https://doi.org/10.22306/al.v10i2.396

Prastiawan, D. I., Aisjah, S., & Rofiaty, R. (2021). The effect of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and social influence on the use of mobile banking through the mediation of attitude toward use. APMBA (Asia Pacific Management and Business Application), 9(3), 243-260.

Qureshi, M. A., Kirkerud, S., Theresa, K., & Ahsan, T. (2020). The impact of sustainability (environmental, social, and governance) disclosure and board diversity on firm value: The moderating role of industry sensitivity. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(3), 1199-1214. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2427

Rodríguez-Abitia, G., & Bribiesca-Correa, G. (2021). Assessing digital transformation in universities. Future Internet, 13(2), 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi13020052

Rogers, E.M. Diffusion of Innovations, 5th ed.; The Free Press: New York, NY, USA, 2003.

Rupeika-Apoga, R., & Petrovska, K. (2022). Barriers to Sustainable Digital Transformation in Micro-, Small-, and Medium-Sized Enterprises. Sustainability, 14(20), 13558. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013558

Shahadat, M. H., Nekmahmud, M., Ebrahimi, P., & Fekete-Farkas, M. (2023). Digital Technology Adoption in SMEs: What Technological, Environmental and Organizational Factors Influence in Emerging Countries?. Global Business Review, 09721509221137199.

Syamsuddin, S., Marsudi, S., Hasanuddin, B., Umar, A., & Suprayitno, D. (2024). Adapting to Digital Transformation: Challenges and Strategies for Traditional Businesses. Global International Journal of Innovative Research, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.59613/global.v2i3.121

Tahar, A., Riyadh, H. A., Sofyani, H., & Purnomo, W. E. (2020). Perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived security and intention to use e-filing: The role of technology readiness. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business (JAFEB), 7(9), 537-547. https://10.13106/jafeb.2020.vol7.no9.537

Venkatesh, V., Morris, M., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information Technology: toward a unified view. Management Information Systems Quarterly, 27(3), 425. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540

Wrede, M., Velamuri, V. K., & Dauth, T. (2020). Top managers in the digital age: Exploring the role and practices of top managers in firms’ digital transformation. Managerial and Decision Economics, 41(8), 1549-1567. https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3202

Wu, J. C., Lee, S. M., & Chen, C. J. (2023, May). Exploring the Context with Factors of Cloud Computing to Digital Transformation and Innovation. In International Conference on Knowledge Management in Organizations (pp. 115-136). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

Zaoui, F., & Souissi, N. (2020). Roadmap for digital transformation: A literature review. Procedia Computer Science, 175, 621-628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2020.07.090

Zhai, H., Yang, M., & Chan, K. C. (2022). Does digital transformation enhance a firm’s performance? Evidence from China. Technology in Society, 68, 101841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101841

Zhang, X., Xu, Y., & Ma, L. (2022). Research on successful factors and influencing mechanism of the digital transformation in SMEs. Sustainability, 14(5), 2549. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052549

Published

01.06.2025

Issue

Section

Working papers

How to Cite

Analyzing Critical Success Factors That Affect the Adoption of Digital Transformation for Achieving Sustainability in Kuwait’s Higher Education. (2025). SBS Journal of Applied Business Research, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.70301/

Similar Articles

11-20 of 27

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.