Open Source Software in the UAE: Opportunities, Challenges and Recommendations (A Survey Research Study).

Abstract

The UAE is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the Gulf region and the Middle East. IDC expects total IT spending in the UAE to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 6.0% over the five-year forecast period, reaching $8.06 billion in 2017. According to the latest survey by the World Economic Forum: The Global Information Technology Report 2014, the UAE now ranks 24th in the world in terms of IT spending. In this research paper, we look closely at Open Source Software usage in the UAE. A survey study was conducted in four categories-governments and ministries, IT companies, universities and IT enthusiasts to explore the opportunities and challenges faced by this segment of the software industry. The study is also compared with two Arabic countries: KSA and Tunisia. This is the first study of its kind in this part of the world and is expected to contribute significantly to the global direction for Open Source Software.