Kowch, Eugene G.Downing, Darren J.2018-11-052018-11-052018-10-31Downing, D. J. (2018). Leadership and technology adoption decisions: case study research (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/33247http://hdl.handle.net/1880/108952Abstract In April 2012, the United Arab Emirates initiated a program to integrate iPads into the country’s three national universities beginning in the foundation program at each institution (Hargis, Cavanaugh, Kamali & Soto, 2014). In September 2012, 14,000 Apple iPad tablets were given to students in the foundation programs at each of these institutions (Hamdan, 2012). This research consisted of a descriptive holistic multiple case study and had three goals: (1) describe how university leaders decided to implement this mandated technology adoption program, (2) identify internal and external factors that influenced educational leaders’ decisions regarding technology in learning programs, (3) identify significant reoccurring themes. The literature review includes an exploration of the higher educational environment in the UAE, an examination of technology adoption, strategic planning, technology planning, and implementation in education, and an examination of some of the relevant literature that may have impacted leadership decisions. The conceptual framework for this study is based on Ertmer’s (1999) strategies for technology integration, the curriculum-centred strategic planning model (Dolence, 2004), and the Bates (2000) ACTIONS technology choice model. This research is intended to assist higher education leaders with mandated, wide-scale, technology adoption programs, especially technology adoption programs that take place in similar geographic or socio-cultural contexts. Keywords: UAE, Higher Education, Leadership, Educational Technology, iPad, Strategic Planning, Vision, Technology Planning, EvaluationengUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.iPadUnited Arab EmiratesDecision MakingUAELeadershipPost-SecondaryEducational TechnologyTechnology AdoptionStrategic PlanningVisionTechnology PlanningEvaluationEducationEducation--AdministrationEducation--Bilingual and MulticulturalEducation--HigherEducation--TechnologySociology--Organizationaldoctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/33247