Currently, most parts of the world are utilizing modern technology in fishing. However, in Malaysia, the implementation of technology has been faced with a myriad of issues. In Malaysia, most of the fishermen are in rural areas, and they rely heavily on traditional methods despite a government initiative to encourage the adoption of new technology. The refusal of the firm to use modern techniques has resulted in high losses, thus leading to questioning on inputs of decision-making used by farmers. Therefore, to understand clearly the setbacks in technology, one will delve upon issues with the implementation of the various mental model's constructs. The constructs that will be discussed include; knowledge, level of education, experience, values, and beliefs, and expertise.
Implementation barriers to mental models
Mental models in fishing technology have been proved to be more reliable as compared to the traditional methods that Malaysian fishers have been using. Although mental technology core constructs have been a challenge, leading to barriers associated with its implementation. These constructs include; knowledge, experience, values, and beliefs, and also expertise ( Hamzah et al., 2014) . Experience is necessary for the application of mental models since it influences the attitudes and behaviors of the fishermen. However, in the Malaysian fishermen context, the learning process regarding the advanced methods of fishing has not been realized. As a result, it has pushed them to maintain the use of traditional methods. The main challenge for failure to acquire the experienced-based on advanced model is due to age factor. The majority of Malaysian fishers have experience of more than forty years in traditional fishing methods. Therefore, it is a challenge for a fisherman with experience of more than 40 years to acquire new literacy; thus, most will prefer to maintain traditional models.
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Knowledge has also been viewed as another setback towards the realization of mental models in the fishing industry. Concept and process knowledge of the fishermen influences their model of fishing. On the concept, the fishermen operate how they understand fishing is done. In such a case, most of the fishers maintain the traditional methods since they inherit from the previous fishermen ( Hamzah et al., 2014) . As such, most of the fishing is done based on tacit knowledge. The process and concept knowledge used is based on the collective understanding of routine action. Similarly, changing to mental models based on knowledge is challenging because most of those engaging in fishing activities are from rural and small communities whose size concerning knowledge network is limited. Such subjects them to minimal learning opportunities on better fishing technologies.
The level of education has also been outlined as another barrier to the implementation of mental models. Mental models rely heavily on the use of technology in fishing but based on knowledge. Therefore, to facilitate change from traditional methods, the fishermen involved should possess high levels of education since education level influences willingness to adopt. However, since most of the fishermen are from rural and small communities, their level of cognitive exposure in education is limited. Therefore, the fishermen lack such cognitive resources, thus opting to maintain their traditional fishing ideologies.
Values and beliefs also influence on the implementation of the mental model of fishing. Beliefs are the disposable state of mind that leads to edifying of a particular value. It contradicts with knowledge which is grounded on an accurate understanding of a process. The fishermen in Malaysia might not be able to allow for the implementation of mental knowledge due to their cultural sentiments and past experiences. Consequently, despite the being taught on the importance of adopting the mental models, it is evident that most of them will not be able to implement.
Expertise also influences on the adoption of mental fishing models. Fishers are grounded as either experts in traditional or modern fishing practices. Based on the method of fishing in which one has been exercising for long, one tends to have more experience, strength, and involvement in the practice ( Hamzah et al., 2014) . For one to apply the mental model, one requires a more coherent fishing structure as compared to the novice method that the Malaysian fishermen have been exercising for long. The understanding of expertise related to mental models is challenging to the traditional fishermen. The mental model expertise requires expert knowledge, which might not be appropriate for the traditional fishermen since it requires understanding the content of the technology. Most traditional fishers are not equipped with cognitive resources that can facilitate such a change.
Conclusion
Although rich information based on the five constructs as challenges towards the adoption of mental models, further inquiries into technology and decisions by fishermen is required. For instance, the parties involved should use essential incentives such as financial aid or educative programs that are subsidized or provided for free. The parties involved have to develop other necessary measures that can allow for the adoption of modern technology to enhance the fishing process. Primarily, the leading cause of failure has been due to issues mainly relating to knowledge; thus, training should be encouraged. For instance, the fisheries association should come up with educational facilities in rural areas to enlighten the community regarding the significance and how they can adopt mental models.
References
Hamzah, A., Krauss, S. E., Shaffril, H. A., Suandi, T., Ismail, I. A., & Abu Samah, B. (2014). Toward understanding Malaysian fishermen's decision making on the use of fishing technology: A mental model approach. International Journal of Psychology , 49 (5), 397-403.
