BIOMETRIC IDENTITY CARDS AS A TOOL FOR E-GOVERNANCE IN SULTANATE OF OMAN

The study makes an attempt to analyze the efficient role of biometric identity cards as a tool for E-Governance as perceived by the citizens of Sultanate of Oman. The study uses a structured questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 339 respondents. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used through AMOS to test the hypotheses and build a model using four indicators and 18 items. The results reveal that Timeliness and Accuracy have a significant impact on Efficiency of Biometric card as an E-Governance tool. The study has found that citizens of the Sultanate are overall satisfied with the role played by biometric identity cards in ensuring good governance. Limitation of study is that it was undertaken in Oman only and thus poses problems when extrapolating the findings to other countries. Biometric identity cards are used to facilitate and monitor efficient delivery of services such as education, healthcare, immigration and employment by the government and so have been adopted with varying degrees of success by countries across the world. Research in the Middle East especially Sultanate of Oman is scarce and the study develops a model based on the perception of residents and identifiessome grey areas in the implementation and integration of the services where improvements are needed.