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Chapter 4. Pilot Analysis, Findings and Discussion Adoption, Diffusion and Use of E-government
Hassan Al-Zaabi Services in Abu Dhabi Police Force
Male 31-40 Below High School Below 10,000 Low
Male 18-20 Below High School Below 10,000 Low
Female 20-30 Bachelor 30,000-39,000 Middle
Female 20-30 High Diploma 20,000-29,000 Middle
Female 20-30 High Diploma 10,000-19,000 Low
Female 18-20 High School Below 10,000 Low
Table 4.9: Details of pilot participants in IT using e-services
All staff members stated that e-services were immediately adopted when launched in Abu Dhabi
Police. Most participants were also involved in the pilot testing of some of the e-services before being
launched, therefore, had an idea about them and did not need intense training.
4.5.2.1 Relative Advantage
Relative advantage is defined earlier as “the degree to which an innovation is perceived as being better
than the idea it supersedes” (Rogers, 2003: 15).
When comparing new online procedures and previous paper based procedure, all ten staff members
were in favour of the online services. Many advantages were discussed and themes were identified,
such as, faster and easier transactions when using e-services, confidentiality of the data when being
processed online. A statement was made by one of the female participants (20-30, bachelor degree,
middle level staff) when arguing that online documents are not like paper based documents in the sense
that online documents are securely saved in computers and no one can access the document without
authorisation. “…it is impossible for someone to see your details unlike paper documents…” This was
mainly supported by high and middle level of employees.
Initial results showed that there was no difference in staff member‟s age, gender, education and
organisational level in the IT department with respect to relative advantage. There was familiarity with
computers and e-services that led to the researcher to examine the next construct, compatibility and
work routine.
University of Hertfordshire 2013 Page 111