THE BARRIERS TO ADOPTION OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY BY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive look on the key factors that may hinder higher education in adopting green technology. An extensive literature review was conducted and found a research gap in the area of green technology adoption by higher education in Malaysia. Based on the analysis, the authors set out to propose a theoretical model focusing on the critical barriers affecting adoption. Increasing awareness and anxiety on environmental issues have raised the importance of adopting green technology measures. Although numerous studies have been conducted on green technology adoption in various sectors, little research has been conducted on why higher education in Malaysia has yet to fully embrace it. Therefore, the authors felt that it is imperative to conduct an in-depth study on the adoption barriers. Key barriers identified include high adoption cost, lack of environment knowledge and green awareness, lack of trust, adoption skepticism, institution adoption rate and switching barrier issues. Though the study is conceptual in nature, its findings can be used as the foundation for future research to identify the most significant factors that promote green technology adoption in order to assess the readiness of higher education in Malaysia to implement green initiatives and practices.