Assessing Infrastructure and Human Capital Readiness for E-Commerce Digital Transformation: Evidence from Libyan Enterprises

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the readiness level of infrastructure and human capital for e-commerce digital transformation in Libyan enterprises, while identifying the key technical, organizational, and legislative challenges impeding this transition in the contemporary business environment. To achieve these objectives, a descriptive-analytical methodology was adopted. A questionnaire consisting of 30 items across six main dimensions was developed as the primary data collection tool. The instrument was administered to a purposive sample of employees, technical specialists, IT managers, and commercial personnel across the telecommunications, banking, and trade sectors in Tripoli and Benghazi. A total of 245 valid questionnaires were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

The study yielded several key empirical findings: a gradual, relative improvement in network and telecommunications infrastructure readiness (M = 2.94), contrasted by a severe deficit and noticeable gap in specialized technical and cognitive human capital training (M = 2.48), alongside an ongoing inadequacy in flexible national legislative frameworks to protect digital transactions (M = 2.03). Conversely, results demonstrated a strong positive trend and high acceptability regarding the quality and reliability of currently available security systems and electronic payment gateways (M = 4.11), substantially exceeding the neutral threshold and signaling a robust digital monetary environment conducive to future expansion. Based on these findings, the study recommended accelerating the drafting of a comprehensive legal framework to protect virtual transactions, allocating dedicated capital expenditures to upgrade core infrastructure toward cloud computing, and implementing intensive capacity-building training programs for the Libyan workforce.