Initiating and assessing an e-nudging model for higher education in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Decisions related to education are complex and have long-term consequences. For higher education students, particularly first-year students, most of these decisions are made when students are young and with little academic experience; these decisions can potentially influence students' futures. This study aims to propose an e-nudging model for higher education that offers an early and low-cost support for universities to encourage better education decision-making for students in a digital environment (i.e. learning systems). The empirical study will be conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) using a mixed-methods approach to assess the effectiveness of the proposed model derived from the literature review. Also, the study will examine the current factors (behavioral, cognitive, and environmental barriers) that influence the effectiveness of the e-nudging model. The research will enhance the understanding of behavioral and cognitive barriers in a digital environment, and how these influence students' decisions. The research will contribute by establishing a relationship between digital nudging, the field of Information Systems (IS) and Human Computer Interaction (HCI), in particular by assisting designers to understand student behaviors and guide users to make the most desirable choice. Lastly, the proposed e-nudging model will improve our understanding of the concept of digital nudging and its application in the learning and teaching field in the KSA and generally in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.