Integrated framework on decentralized E-Government in Iraqi higher education using hybrid approach

• Main Author: Fuaad Ali, Ali
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2025
• Subjects: Q Science; QA Mathematics
• Online Access: http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/29388/

Many governments around the world have increasingly adopted electronic government (e-government) systems to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and transparency of public services. In Iraq, however, the implementation of e-government in the higher education sector remains limited, largely due to centralized decision-making, underdeveloped ICT infrastructure, legal and cultural barriers, and a lack of institutional autonomy. Despite the recognized benefits of decentralization and digital governance, few empirical studies have explored the combined impact of technological, environmental, and governmental factors on the actual use of e-government in Iraq’s universities. This study addresses this gap by proposing and validating an integrated framework that combines the Technology Organization Environment (TOE) model with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The research investigates eight independent variables categorized as technological factors (IT skills, technical support, and technological infrastructure), environmental factors (rules and regulations, awareness, and cultural aspects), and governmental factors (trust in government and quality of information). These factors are examined for their influence on the use of decentralized e-government systems in Iraqi higher education institutions. A quantitative research approach was employed using a structured questionnaire distributed to academic and administrative staff across five public universities: University of Baghdad, University of Mosul, University of Babylon, University of Al-Qadisiyah, and University of Al-Muthanna. The collected data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) to evaluate the proposed framework. The findings indicate that all eight factors have a statistically significant influence on the use of e-government systems. Technological infrastructure, awareness, and trust in government emerged as the most critical predictors. The validated framework offers both theoretical and practical contributions. It fills a gap in existing literature by empirically integrating TOE and TAM to explain actual e-government usage within a post-conflict higher education environment. Practically, it provides policymakers and institutional leaders with evidence-based insights to design more effective decentralization strategies and ICT governance reforms in Iraq’s public university system.