Abstract
Given the current coronavirus global crisis, e-services have never been more relevant as they are today. Like many countries and for many years, the UAE government has focused on the rapid adoption of the smart government services in public sector in order to achieve the highest international standards in the electronic-based services. The UAE has established its government strategic plan 2021 vision. In light of this vision, the government of Emirate of Sharjah formed a Supreme Committee for Digital Transformation. This research aims to investigate Sharjah government employees' readiness and preparation for the digital transformation. This thesis provides an assessment of employees' readiness by examining how employees perceive egovernment and the extent to which they are ready to embark in the digital transition. The theoretical framework is based on Everett Rogers' diffusion theory (1962). Diffusion of innovation is the process through which new technologies, products, or ideas are diffused and adopted in a social system. The researcher used a survey of 102 government employees using both quantitative questions and open-ended qualitative questions. A total of 16 in-depth interviews were conducted before and after the coronavirus pandemic with government employees and senior managers of the Sharjah Digital Transformation Committee. The study found that while a lot of progress has been made, government employees are still ambivalent about the implementation of Sharjah digital transformation. The study made a series of recommendations that would hopefully assist Sharjah government in their endeavor to digital transformation.
