Title: The use of mobile application (Shlonik) to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait

Authors: Faisal L.F.H. Almutairi; Ibtisam L.F.H. Almutairi; Bodoor F.G. Alazemi

Addresses: School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia ' Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, College of Business Studies, P.O. Box 23167, Ardia, Kuwait ' Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, College of Business Studies, P.O. Box 23167, Ardia, Kuwait

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors influencing the use of the surveillance system (Shlonik app) used to track people quarantined in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. The researcher used technology acceptance model (TAM) to predict Shlonik app usage (SU) by perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU). The model also was extended with privacy concern, trust of government, and user awareness as predictors to Shlonik app usage (SU), which found to be significant and influential variables in the relevant past literature. The data was conducted through quantitative research method with a sample of 160 'Shlonik app users' in Kuwait and analysed using SmartPLS. The result of the study revealed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, user awareness, and privacy concerns have a positive influence on the SU. However, the trust of government showed no significant effect on the use of SU. The study was limited only to Kuwait and only to the health sector. Hence, based on the findings and limitations of this study, several recommendations have been given for future research in this area.

Keywords: COVID-19; mobile applications usage; Kuwait; TAM; user awareness; privacy concerns; trust; surveillance system; monitoring; pandemic; quarantine.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2022.126571

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2022 Vol.12 No.4, pp.318 - 337

Received: 27 Sep 2021
Accepted: 19 May 2022
Published online: 28 Oct 2022 *

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