Evaluating and Prioritizing Barriers for Sustainable E-Learning Using Analytic Hierarchy Process-Group Decision Making

Quadri Noorulhasan Naveed, Adel Ibrahim Qahmash, Muna Al-Razgan, Karishma M. Qureshi, Mohamed Rafik Noor Mohamed Qureshi and Ali A. Alwan
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Quadri Noorulhasan Naveed: College of Computer Science, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Adel Ibrahim Qahmash: College of Education, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Muna Al-Razgan: Department of Software Engineering, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11345, Saudi Arabia
Karishma M. Qureshi: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Parul University, Waghodia 391760, India
Mohamed Rafik Noor Mohamed Qureshi: College Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Ali A. Alwan: School of Theoretical & Applied Science, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430, USA

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: E-Learning is a popular computer-based teaching–learning system that has been rapidly gaining global attention during and post COVID-19. The leaping changes in digital technology have enabled E-Learning to become more effective in recent years. It offers freedom from restrictions caused by geographical boundaries and provides time flexibility in the teaching–learning process. Apart from its numerous advantages, the success of E-Learning depends upon many critical success factors (CSFs) and barriers. If the barriers that lie in the way of successful E-Learning implementation are not addressed diligently, it will limit E-Learning success. It has been revealed through past research that these barriers are serious threats that need immediate attention in their redressal. This paper attempts to reveal sixteen barriers under four different dimensions by going through a comprehensive review of the literature and engaging decision makers. Furthermore, it uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process-Group Decision Making (AHP-GDM) methodology to evaluate and prioritize them. The results obtained show that barriers related to the Institutional Management Dimension (BIMD), Infrastructure and Technological Dimension (BITD), Student Dimension (BSD), and Instructor Dimension (BID) pose the greatest challenges in the successful implementation of E-Learning. The AHP-GDM methodologies reveal the comparative relationship among these barriers as BIMD > BITD > BSD > BID and further quantify their negative effects as 46.35%, 29.88%, 12.30%, and 11.4%, respectively, on successful E-Learning systems (‘>’ indicates comparative challenges).

Keywords: analytic hierarchy process (AHP); barriers of e-learning; emergency remote education (ERE); group decision making (GDM); sustainable e-learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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