Examining the adoption of financial robo-advisor as a service (FRAaaS) in Saudi Arabia: the mediating role of personal innovativeness

There is a lack of studies on innovations and competitiveness in Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia; to fell this gap, this paper will study change as the competitive advantage for Small and Medium Enterprises: the case for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study aims to explore different practices of SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to examine the impact of innovation strategies (Organizational, Product, Process, and Market) on the competitive advantage of SMEs. The study was conducted on one hundred and forty-seven (147) SMEs that are practicing different activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study's analysis indicates that most of the enterprises were young (operation years were less than ten years), which shows the strong need to apply innovative strategies to maintain their position and competitiveness in the market. Competitive advantage enables the firm to utilize its resources efficiently and maintain high levels of quality performance. The results show that the correlation between Innovation strategies such as product innovation strategy, market innovation strategy, process innovation strategy, and organizational innovation strategy practiced by SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and competitiveness was Positive. Therefore, it indicates that different innovation strategies were significantly influencing the competitiveness of the SMEs. To remain a competitor enterprise in the market is not a natural or an easy attempt, and it can be challenging for SMEs, especially without the needed knowledge and support. Findings and recommendations of the study can be used as a guideline for SMEs. Also, emphasizing on the importance of education that plays a vital role in SMEs innovations. It is essential to establish with different research centers and universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia programs or activities that focus on changes in business, and it will result in gaining competitive advantage and sustainability for Small and Medium Enterprises in the market. Keywords: competitive advantage, innovation, small enterprises, medium enterprises.

تلعب التقنيات الرقمية دورًا حيويًا في حياة الإنسان اليومية وتؤثر بشكل كبير على المواقف البشرية تجاه تبني أنماط حياة جديدة وجذابة. تم قبول الإنترنت على نطاق واسع في كل مجتمع حديث، وأدى شراء المنتجات أو الخدمات عبر الإنترنت، المعروف باسم التسوق عبر الإنترنت، إلى إحداث ثورة في الأعمال التجارية. صممت هذه الدراسة باستخدام نموذج قبول التكنولوجيا ونظرية الفعل المنطقي. حددت هذه الدراسة عوامل مهمة مثل الوعي، والاستفادة المدركة، والابتكار الشخصي، وسهولة الاستخدام في الشراء، جنبًا إلى جنب مع آثار هذه العوامل على نوايا الشراء عبر الإنترنت والدور الوسيط للموقف السلوكي تجاه الشراء عبر الإنترنت. تظهر النتائج أن العوامل المحددة ترتبط بشكل إيجابي وكبير بنوايا المستهلك ومواقفه تجاه الشراء عبر الإنترنت. هذه الدراسة لديها القدرة على توجيه تجار التجزئة والمديرين عبر الإنترنت في توسيع منصات الشراء عبر الإنترنت وزيادة استجابتهم للحاجة إلى إعادة هيكلة نماذج الأعمال وفقًا للتطورات التكنولوجية الجديدة. يساهم هذا البحث في فهم دور لإبداع الشخصي؛ سهولة الاستخدام المدركة؛ الاستفادة المدركة في نموذج قبول التكنولوجيا ونظرية الفعل المنطقي في المملكة العربية السعودية كدولة نامية، حيث يدمج TAM وTRA الإبداع الشخصي؛ سهولة الاستخدام المدركة؛ الاستفادة المدركة كعوامل جديد تؤثر على القبول بخلاف ما هو منصوص عليه تقليديًا. المساهمة الثانية هي اكتشاف أن سهوله استخدام الموقع هو أهم بناء يؤثر على نية التسوق عبر الإنترنت في المملكة العربية السعودية.

As part of its Vision 2030 initiative, Saudi Arabia has adopted digital transformation as a strategic pillar for economic diversification and sustainable growth. Substantial investments in digital infrastructure, R&D, and human capital aim to leverage the benefits of digitalization. However, the extent to which digitalization drives sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions remains underexplored. This study examines how the digital economy influences sustainable development in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the roles of green technological innovation, R&D, and human capital. Using both an aggregate sustainable development index and disaggregated measures, the analysis finds that digitalization significantly advances economic and social development but contributes to environmental degradation. Nevertheless, green technological innovation interacts positively with the digital economy, enhancing sustainability across all dimensions by mitigating digitalization's environmental impact while amplifying its benefits. This synergy underscores the role of integrated strategies that combine digital proficiency with eco‐innovations to achieve broader sustainability gains. Similarly, R&D stimulates economic growth and human well‐being, yet its positive environmental impacts emerge only after surpassing a critical investment threshold; below this threshold, R&D can hinder environmental sustainability, underscoring the importance of targeted investments that prioritize green technologies. Human capital accumulation also fortifies the digital economy's potential to promote balanced progress. Overall, the findings underscore the need for policies that nurture green innovation, sustain R&D expenditure, and elevate human capital to maximize the digital economy's contribution to sustainable development. By fostering synergy between digitalization and eco‐friendly technological advancements, Saudi Arabia can realize Vision 2030's goals of inclusive, enduring prosperity.

The aim of the study to explore the link between sustainable leadership and HRM practices on organizational performance in educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the mediator role of organizational innovation. Sustainability is now a top priority for educational institutions; therefore, it is crucial to know how leadership practices affect HR management and, therefore, the organization’s performance. The research sample consisted of 256 educational leaders from Saudi schools (Directors, Vice Directors, supervisors, and counselors). The data were analyzed using the JASP statistical program. The results showed that there was a positive relationship between sustainable leadership and HRM practices as it is revealed in organizational performance and the need for sustainability-oriented leadership to enhance effective organizational performance. Furthermore, human resource management practices were found to be positively related to organizational performance thus supporting their role in the attainment of organizational goals. Organizational innovation was found to be an important mediator of the relationship between sustainable leadership and human resource management practices. These results support the notion that sustainable leadership is beneficial in improving human resource management practices by means of organizational innovation in the educational contexts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Lastly, the study provides practical implications for policy makers and educational leaders to implement sustainable leadership strategies and improve human resource management, which in turn will help the long term success of educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Fossil fuel electricity generation in Saudi Arabia increased greatly from 1980 to 2017. This paper aims to quantify the electricity generation effect on the environmental quality of Saudi Arabia and explore the role of energy-efficient technological innovation. A structural time series model (STSM) to estimate long-run elasticities and logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) is employed. The results showed that variables (GDP, electricity generation, and population) have a significant effect on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Also, the underlying energy demand trend (UEDT) showed an upward slope for the entire period, which suggests that over the study time there is no improvement in energy efficiency. In decomposing the factors for carbon emissions growth in Saudi Arabia, the findings of applying additive LMDI analysis showed a 1377.56 million tonne (MT) increase in CO2 emissions from the three factors between 1980 and 2017 in the country. The results of additive decomposition showed that the primary factor that drives the carbon emissions growth in Saudi Arabia was the structure effect. Saudi Arabian policymakers could make more informed decisions regarding electricity generation by focusing on increasing energy efficiency and demanding strict environmental regulations to contribute to sustainable economic growth.

This study explored the relationships between green market orientation and competitive advantage, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green sustainable innovation. The research utilized a structured questionnaire to gather data from managers involved in environmental protection and professionals working in the manufacturing sectors of computers, electronics, optical products, and electrical equipment. The survey targeted respondents from key regions in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Qassim, and the Eastern Province, resulting in a total of 273 responses. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), a robust statistical technique that allows for the examination of complex relationships between variables. The findings confirmed a mediational model where green sustainable innovation—comprising both green product and green process innovation—served as a critical intermediary linking green market orientation to competitive advantage. Furthermore, the study validated direct effects of green market orientation on both green sustainable innovation and competitive advantage. These results emphasize the dual pathways through which green market orientation influences business performance. The research concludes by offering actionable insights for Saudi managers, highlighting strategies to maximize profitability and competitiveness through the adoption and implementation of green sustainable innovation practices.

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors impacting entrepreneurial intentions, behaviors, innovations, and senses of self-efficacy in the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through illuminating the roles of ecosystem, entrepreneurial intention, innovation, and education, the study aspires to provide insights into the distinctive dynamics of digital entrepreneurship in this geographical setting. The study makes use of both qualitative in-depth interviews with subject matter experts and quantitative statistical analysis of survey responses. The Saudi digital entrepreneur ecosystem is explored qualitatively through 15 in-depth interviews with industry experts, and quantitatively with 248 survey responses that allow for hypothesis testing using structural equation modeling. The quantitative data in this study was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results emphasize the mediating roles of entrepreneurial ambition and innovation, highlighting the key significance of the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem in driving entrepreneur behavior. Entrepreneurial education emerges as a powerful element, acting as both a moderator in shaping entrepreneurial success. The research provides useful information about the unique characteristics of digital entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia.

This study investigates the impact of Internet of Things (IoT) demand on Digital Economic Growth (DEG) in Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2023, employing both linear regression and a panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The results show a long-term, significant, and positive association between IoT adoption and DEG, supported by the Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework, highlighting the relevance of technology readiness and organizational capacity. Moreover, Internet penetration is a significant driver of digital transformation, aligned with the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, which emphasizes the role of connectivity in facilitating the adoption of digital devices. IoT will have little or no impact in the short term, but in the long run, the benefits are clear. Furthermore, despite the long- and short-term benefits of 5G deployment indicated by the results, a divergence between 5G deployment and electricity consumption is signaled by the significance of the error-correction term, which may be attributed to infrastructure and deployment prerequisites. Additionally, as an extension of the Resource-Based View (RBV) paradigm, the ultimate drivers of DEG through innovation and strategic resources highlight the importance of Research and Development (R&D) investment and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in inducing its growth. In contrast, inflation has an adverse impact on DEG, confirming macroeconomic instability as an obstacle to digital advancement, which relates to the environmental pillar of TOE. Policymakers can maximize Saudi Arabia’s digital economic growth on a sustainable, stronger path by investing in IoT infrastructure, increasing internet access and adoption, enhancing R&D and institutional support, and addressing challenges related to macroeconomic stability and 5G deployment. This study adds to the extant research by empirically evaluating the short- and long-term effects of IoT adoption on Saudi Arabia’s digital economic development, thereby providing insights into the roles of innovation, infrastructure, and institutional support in driving digital transformation.

The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation as part of the Vision 2030 initiative, with a focus on strategic planning and innovation. This study aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the healthcare transformation in the country since the inception of Vision 2030, highlighting key challenges and outlining steps taken to revolutionize health systems. The scoping literature review encompassing both published and unpublished sources was conducted, utilizing various databases with specific keywords related to Saudi healthcare, healthcare transformation, Vision 2030, Public-Private Partnerships, and privatization. Additionally, data from government reports, policies, strategy documents, and press releases were incorporated. The future of healthcare in Saudi Arabia hinges on achieving universal coverage while managing costs. Thereby, the national transformation program has implemented strategic measures to bolster the private healthcare sector, including the establishment of health clusters and the enactment of legislation such as the Private Sector Participation Law. Despite legislative advancements facilitating the transformation process, challenges persist, necessitating further research and caution. Most importantly, the role of innovation and technology in healthcare transformation is multifaceted and crucial for achieving various goals, including improving patient outcomes, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing accessibility.

This research focuses on the role of innovation in enhancing competitiveness within the private sector in Saudi Arabia, with particular emphasis on the impact of innovation on company performance in terms of market share, financial performance, and sustainable growth. The study aims to explore the relationship between innovation and achieving competitive advantage, while highlighting the importance of supporting innovation policies as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The research employed a survey methodology to collect data from a representative sample of private sector companies operating across various industries in the Kingdom. The survey was designed to measure the extent to which these companies adopt innovative practices and to assess the impact of such practices on their operational and financial outcomes. The results revealed that companies investing in innovation and adopting policies that encourage innovative thinking are able to achieve higher levels of financial performance and increase their market share. Furthermore, the findings indicate that innovation is not merely a tool for product and service improvement, but a fundamental driver of sustainable growth in a rapidly changing competitive environment. The study emphasizes the need to enhance investments in research and development and to develop human capital to bolster innovation capabilities within companies. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors and between academic institutions and companies to create a supportive environment for innovation. In conclusion, the research offers a set of practical recommendations aimed at fostering a culture of innovation within the private sector and ensuring the achievement of Vision 2030’s goals to transform Saudi Arabia into a knowledge-based economy.

PurposeThis research examines the drivers of electric vehicle (EV) acceptance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by applying the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, contextualized for the EV setting. The study aims to provide insights supporting the transition to sustainable transportation and identifying consumer perceptions and behavioral intentions toward EV adoption.Design/methodology/approachBased on survey data from a convenience sample collected from undergraduate and MBA students in a major university of KSA, the authors use seemingly unrelated regressions to provide novel insights on electric vehicle acceptance.FindingsThe study shows UTAUT constructs influence purchase intentions and attitudinal outcomes. Results indicate that perceived EV sustainability plays an important role in the relationship between UTAUT constructs and purchase intention alongside attitudes toward EV technology. Technological innovativeness enhances the impact of EV attitude and weakens the effect of perceived EV sustainability on purchase intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe study benefits researchers on sustainable technology acceptance and stakeholders facilitating sustainable transportation shifts. The insights guide the promotion of eco-friendly transportation solutions.Originality/valueThe research contextualizes and extends the UTAUT model constructs to understand drivers of EV acceptance. The study contributes to understanding sustainable innovation acceptance, considering the mediating role of perceptions of EV sustainability and the moderating role of technological innovativeness in driving purchase intentions.

PurposeThe aim of this study is to explore the impact of resource orientation (RO), and technology innovation (TI) as mediating factors, along with strategic flexibility (SF) as a moderating factor, on manufacturing firm performance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).Design/methodology/approachThe research utilizes a sample of 344 manufacturing firms based in the KSA and employs Smart PLS 4 for data analysis.FindingsThe results reveal a significant positive relationship between RO, TI, SF, and manufacturing firms’ performance. This study contributes to understanding how RO as resource, TI as a mediating variable, and SF as a boundary condition influence firm performance.Practical implicationsThis study points out practical implications for managers in terms of optimizing the use of their resources, and encouraging innovation. These orientations can, therefore, improve firm performance. Additionally, strategic flexibility allows firms to change in correspondence to changing environments and maintain their advantages. This integrated approach provides a comprehensive framework for improving manufacturing firm performance through effective resource management, and technological advancements.Originality/valueThis study lies in its investigation of how RO and TI act as mediating factors, with SF as a moderating factor, on firm performance. This therefore presents a new framework that emphasizes the critical role of resource strategic management, and innovation in improving firm performance. Such an approach presents valuable insights and practical guidance for manufacturing firms that wish to maintain competitive performance and adjust to market dynamics.

The prime aim of the quantitative study is to explore the impact of green transformational leadership and green entrepreneurship orientation on firm sustainable performance within the manufacturing sector of Saudi Arabia. In addition, the current research also examined the moderating effect of environmental concerns and the mediating impact of green innovation. For analysis, the current study adopted PLS-EM. From the findings, green transformational leadership and green entrepreneurship orientation significantly impact green innovation, leading to a sustainable firm's performance in the Saudi Arabia manufacturing industry. The same is statistically significant in enlightening the firm's sustainable performance. Green innovation has played a substantial role in mediating the impact of the correlation among transformational leadership and green entrepreneurship on firm sustainable performance. The present research further extends evidence showing that environmental concern has significantly moderated the relationship among green entrepreneurship orientation, green transformational leadership and firm sustainable performance. The findings provide implications for progress in the sustainable performance of manufacturing firms, specifically in Saudi Arabia. Hence, the emerging green transformational leadership and entrepreneurial orientation are integrating environmental concerns in firm governance and establishing promising strategies to enhance the manufacturing industry's sustainable performance in Saudi Arabia.

This study aims to explore the importance of Green Human HRM Practices, Green Organizational Culture, Green Innovation, and their impact on Environmental Performance, speciically for SMEs in Saudi Arabia.Additionally, the objective is to evaluate the mediating role of a green organizational culture in this connection and its ultimate inluence on organizational environmental performance.The comprehensive assessment of the collective effect of these constructs on Ecological Performance within a holistic model has not been previously undertaken.Hence, this study gains additional importance by assessing green organizational culture's mediation role in the relationship between Green HRM Practices and the organization's Environmental Performance.The study reveals that Green Organizational Culture mediates Green human resource functions and creative preservation called green innovation, emphasizing the impact of values in driving sustainability efforts.These indings support RBV theory, highlighting the importance of these factors in enhancing environmental outcomes.This study was conducted in the context of Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia.A total of 291 usable responses were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire.The participants were chosen through the utilization of a cluster sampling methodology.The results of this study conirm the signiicance of Green HRM and Green Innovation in assessing the Performance of SMEs in Saudi Arabia concerning environmental preservation.The research framework was founded on RBV theory, which builds study's underpinning theory and has been conirmed within the study's speciic context.SMEs in Saudi Arabia can actively advance environmental sustainability and achieve enhanced organizational performance by using these practical steps.Nonetheless, it is crucial to account for additional cultural, demographic, and governmental factors in future research to understand their impact on the subject thoroughly.This will provide valuable insights for future implications.

This study examines the impact of green innovation, sustainable economic growth, and carbon emission on public health issues in Saudi Arabia. As Saudi Arabia is struggling to increase human development that also incorporates public health, it is important to understand the determinant factors and significant solutions to curtail public health issues. The study pioneers investigation into the role of green innovation aimed at countering public health problems caused by environmental damage. For econometric estimates, a non-linear autoregressive distributed lagged approach is used, which confirms that economic growth and carbon emissions are the main sources of public health issues in Saudi Arabia. Further, the empirical results demonstrate that greater attention to green innovation, education, and health spending plays a significant role in minimizing health issues. The positive shock in green innovation is helpful in terms of reducing public health issues. The findings are significant for policy suggestions; some recommendations are as follows: (i) The Saudi government needs to enhance funding in research and development to increase green innovation within the country. (ii) Education and health sector should be improved and increase it outreach throughout the country.