Environmental enforcement technology adoption: Marine environment in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract

Research Background: Entities responsible for environmental enforcement around the world are facing increasing pressure to deal with the alarming rate of environmental degradation and crime, despite the limited resources available to them. They are continuously searching for technological advancements to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency. This research aims to explore and develop effective technology adoption insights for environmental compliance and enforcement in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Research Gap: Existing technology adoption studies in law enforcement were mainly conducted on criminal law enforcement. Studies conducted on technology adoption of users involved in environmental enforcement were very scarce, especially from the perspective of environmental enforcers. Environmental enforcement was found to be a unique field of law enforcement with unique challenges and characteristics. This gap in the literature gives interest to acquire further knowledge and understanding of the technology use and adoption of users involved in environmental enforcement. Methodology: This study has adapted a qualitative approach with multiple case studies triangulated with onsite observations, documents, and interviews with relevant stakeholders to explore the use and adoption of technology in environmental compliance and enforcement in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Findings: Numerous significant findings were made during the research. The research found that technology use in the field of environmental enforcement in the marine environment in Bahrain has a significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of these systems, mainly through providing increased accuracy, speed, cost reduction and transparency. The technologies vary from basic technologies such as GPS to complex integrated systems, the type of technology utilized is mainly driven by the role and task of the organization or individual. The research also finds many aspects of theories from previous studies on technology adoption in the field of law enforcement to be applicable to this research’s field, mainly the M-TAM which is based on the TAM model. The research found that technology adoption in environmental enforcement in the Kingdom is mandatory in nature, in which intent to use the technology has no influence since the user does not have the choice not to use the technology provided. Rather the extent to which the technology is used is influenced mainly by attitude, perceived usefulness, degree of necessity of the use of the technology, and various external factors (management style, cognitive acceptance, and stakeholder environment). Furthermore, the research identified additional unique factors affecting technology adoption in environmental enforcement, mainly the stakeholder’s environment. The study's findings led to the development of a modified model of technology adoption for environmental enforcement. The model illustrates the complex interaction between many factors influencing users' adoption and usage of technology in the field of environmental enforcement in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Implications: The model illustrates the factors that influence technology adoption by users involved in environmental enforcement in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The main contribution of the research and the model is the ability to predict and explain technology adoption of users in the unique field of environmental enforcement. This knowledge is critical for the Kingdom, which has made significant investments in technological solutions across a variety of sectors, including environmental enforcement. Understanding and taking into account the factors influencing technology adoption will increase the likelihood of effective technology being adopted successfully in the Kingdom of Bahrain, resulting in more efficient usage, increased productivity, and ultimately improved performance toward the achievement of goals and targets.