ZARE, AISHA ALI2024-07-192024-07-192023-0222000957https://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/2645NonAbstract In recent years, smart cities have received significant attention as solutions to the complex problems modern communities face. The popularity and demand for smartphones and applications continue to increase, and smart governments are using innovative applications as essential tools to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of their services and to achieve transformation from an electronic government (e-government) to a mobile government (m-government). However, only a few scholars have explored those factors affecting the use of m-government innovative applications in developing countries. Therefore, the primary aim of this research is to determine those variables that influence the users’ actual use of m-government innovative applications and to examine their relationships. To do so, this study extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with trust in the internet, trust in government, cultural influence, service quality, and public awareness. The proposed theoretical model is evaluated based on data collected from 146 m-government service users using questionnaire surveys and is analyzed through a two-stage analytical technique that includes PLS-SEM and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Among the 15 hypothesized associations in the research model, the correlations between variables support nine hypotheses, suggesting that these variables influence users’ adoption of smart government mobile applications. The results of this study reveal the positive impact of service quality, cultural influence, and public awareness on users’ perceived ease of use of smart government applications. The users’ perceived usefulness of smart government applications is also positively influenced by service quality and cultural influence. In contrast, their perceived ease of use and usefulness improves their attitude toward using these applications. The most important factor is perceived ease of use, affecting users’ intention and use of government smart applications. The most potent predictor of usage intention is attitude toward using smart applications. This study's key findings fill the literature gap and determine the most influential factors that impact end users, the state-of-the-art TAM model, and the effectiveness of the research model. These findings are expected to improve the current theorization of mobile technology elements that influence user acceptability and utilization of competent government mobile applications. This research also offers practical suggestions to m-government decision-makers and developers for improving the degree of actual use of their apps and services. Policymakers and practitioners in the smart government of Dubai can emphasize those factors that enhance the adoption of smart government mobile applications. Keywords: Smart cities, Mobile government (m-government), E-government, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Trust in the internet, Trust in government, Cultural influence, Service quality, Public awareness, User adoption, Smart government applications, Perceived ease of use, Perceived usefulnessensmart cities, mobile government (m-government), e-government, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), cultural influence, service quality, public awareness, user adoption, smart government applicationsThesisProfessor Sherief Abdullah