E-environments in the Gulf Cooperation Council States

Abstract

The digital revolution led to, among other things, the emergence of electronic environments, or e-environments. They have also substantially altered the manner in which individuals and institutions interact, deliver services, and accomplish daily activities effectively. This, in turn, resulted in an increase in the amount of research and literature on e-environments, albeit unevenly. However, a systematic analysis of this body of literature in the context of non-western countries is lacking. The purpose of this study was to address this gap with respect to the Gulf Cooperation Council States. Data retrieved from citation and publishers’ databases and content analysis produced reliable results that are encouraging for some, though not all, countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council when it comes to the level of e-environment research, range of topics addressed, use of appropriate and robust research methods, and whether the research was informed by theory. Specific recommendations for future research are also suggested.