Salim Al-Hajri and Arthur Tatnall Higher College of Technology, Muscat, Oman and Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

The banking industry in Oman is of major importance to Oman's economy, yet the banks continue to conduct their banking transactions using traditional methods. A strong banking industry supports economic developments significantly through its efficient financial services. The role of the banking industry in trying to achieve the objectives outlined by the Sultan of Oman will depend heavily on the industry's capabilities. This requires banks to introduce changes (both at the procedural level and at the informational level) such as the banking industry moving from traditional distribution channel banking to electronic distribution channel banking. Given the prevalence of Internet technology adoption by the banking industry in developed countries, the reason for the lack of such an innovation in developing countries such as Oman is a fruitful research question. The aim of this research was to explore managers' perceptions of Internet technology and their tendency to adopt it in the banking industry. Specifically, the research question addressed was: What were the enablers and the inhibitors of Internet technology adoption in the Omani banking industry compared with those in the Australian banking industry? This study is important for both academics and commercial organisations as it emphasises the enabling and the inhibiting factors of Internet technology adoption and how to manage them effectively for both adopters and non-adopters. 

Contents

 1. Internet Technology for the Banking Industry 

2. Research Issues from the Literature 

3. Theoretical Framework for Understanding Internet Technology Adoption in the Banking Industry 

4. Perceptions of Bank Managers on Internet Technology Adoption 

5. Conclusion List of Abbreviations and Terms

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

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ISBN 978-1-920889-38-8 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-920889-39-5 (hard cover)

Includes index, biography Electronic funds transfer - Oman. Banks and banking, Central Oman. Internet banking - Oman.

332.17095353

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