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Title: Digital skills and performance of small businesses in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: the moderating effect of attitude towards use

Authors: Bilal Ahmad Ali Al-Khateeb

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, College of Business, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Digital skills are increasingly considered key drivers of business success, yet their contribution to company performance remains a subject of debate due to conflicting empirical findings. This study examines the moderating role of attitudes toward technology use in the relationship between digital skills and the performance of small businesses in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A simple random sample of 400 small businesses was selected from a pool of 6,492, and 382 valid responses were analysed. SPSS software was used for data analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis was employed to test for moderating effects. The results indicate that digital skills significantly influence the performance of small businesses (p < 0.05). Furthermore, attitudes toward technology use significantly modify the relationship between digital skills and performance (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that fostering positive attitudes toward technology use enhances the performance benefits derived from digital skills in small businesses.

Keywords: technology; digital skills; small business; performance; attitude towards use; Saudi Arabia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2026.152363

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2026 Vol.51 No.6, pp.1 - 17

Received: 18 Sep 2025
Accepted: 01 Dec 2025
Published online: 16 Mar 2026 *