Challenges in Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia Obstacles in Paradigm Shift in Saudi Arabia

Change is inevitable, and nobody or an entity can disregard the changing demands on the economy. Both external and internal changes in the economy need innovation and reconstruction - studies that focus on change management stress on the importance of organizations' readiness for transformation and change. Businesses readiness for digital transformation is a multi-dimension, multi-level, and a multi-faceted activity. To ensure effective implementation of digital transformation, it is paramount to examine factors that hinder the adoption of digital technologies. To identify these factors, the study formulated a research questionnaire and distributed to 200 Saudi nationals in Riyadh, Qassim and Jeddah. The research study was carried out in learning institutions, health care, and government ministries situated in the cities above. The study also interviewed ten security experts to validate information gathered through the questionnaires. From the research findings, cybersecurity, trustworthiness, usage experience, and awareness among Saudi nationals are the core factors that hinder digital transformation in the context of Vision 2030.