Purpose: This research seeks to develop a comprehensive socio-technical transition model that facilitates the shift from Iran's traditional judicial system to a fully electronic judicial system by identifying and analyzing the key factors influencing this transformation. The study adopts a multi-level perspective (MLP) to examine how macro-level trends, mid-level institutional structures, and micro-level innovations interact to either enable or hinder this digital transition. By focusing on Iran's unique judicial context, the study aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers and judicial authorities to effectively manage this complex socio-technical change, ensuring that the transition not only enhances operational efficiency but also maintains public trust and legal integrity in the digital era.
Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a mixed-methods research design, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to ensure a robust analysis. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 experts, including judicial officials, IT specialists, legal professionals, and policymakers, to identify critical factors affecting the transition. Thematic analysis was then used to categorize these factors into three levels based on the MLP framework: landscape (macro), which includes external pressures like technological advancements and societal changes; regime (meso), covering institutional and structural elements such as financial resources and bureaucratic processes; and niche (micro), focusing on grassroots innovations like legal-tech startups and digital infrastructure. In the quantitative phase, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) was applied to analyze the interrelationships among these factors, determining their hierarchical structure and identifying which elements act as key drivers or dependents in the transition process. This dual-method approach ensures both depth and breadth in understanding the dynamics of judicial digitization in Iran.
Findings: The study reveals several critical insights into the transition to an electronic judicial system in Iran. At the landscape level, factors such as the rise of digital crimes, increasing societal expectations for transparency, and the digital divide between urban and rural areas create both opportunities and challenges for digitization. The regime level highlights significant barriers, including insufficient funding for technological upgrades, rigid bureaucratic structures resistant to change, and a shortage of skilled personnel capable of managing digital systems. Meanwhile, the niche level underscores the potential of local innovations, such as legal-tech startups and digital platforms, to drive change, though these are often hampered by a lack of supportive policies and investment. The ISM analysis further clarifies that top-level factors—such as government policies, private sector involvement, and judicial restructuring—have the most substantial influence on the transition, while base-level factors—like user adoption and technical training—are more dependent on these higher-level enablers. Together, these findings paint a detailed picture of the socio-technical ecosystem surrounding Iran's judicial digitization efforts, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to overcome existing barriers and leverage emerging opportunities.
Research limitations/implications: While this study provides valuable insights into the transition to an electronic judicial system in Iran, it is not without limitations. The research focuses specifically on Iran's judicial context, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other countries with different legal, cultural, or technological landscapes. Additionally, the qualitative sample, though diverse, is relatively small, and the ISM analysis relies on expert opinions, which may introduce subjectivity. Future research could expand the scope by incorporating comparative studies across multiple countries or employing larger-scale surveys to validate the findings. Theoretically, this study contributes to the broader literature on socio-technical transitions by applying the MLP framework to judicial digitization, highlighting the interplay between technological innovation and institutional change. Practically, it underscores the need for adaptive governance models that can accommodate rapid technological advancements while ensuring legal and ethical standards are upheld.
Practical implications: The findings of this study offer several actionable recommendations for policymakers, judicial authorities, and other stakeholders involved in Iran's judicial digitization efforts. First, there is a need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to foster innovation in legal-tech solutions, such as digital case management systems and online dispute resolution platforms. Second, legislative reforms should be prioritized to address gaps in digital governance, particularly concerning data security, privacy, and the admissibility of electronic evidence. Third, investments in human capital are crucial, including training programs for judges, lawyers, and administrative staff to build digital literacy and ensure smooth adoption of new technologies. Fourth, bureaucratic processes within the judicial system must be streamlined to reduce resistance to change, potentially through pilot projects that demonstrate the benefits of digitization. Finally, public awareness campaigns can help build trust in electronic judicial services, encouraging wider acceptance and use among citizens. By addressing these areas, Iran can accelerate its transition to a more efficient, transparent, and accessible judicial system.
Originality/value:This study stands out as one of the first to systematically examine the transition to an electronic judicial system in Iran using a multi-level perspective (MLP) and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). Unlike previous research, which often focuses narrowly on technological or legal aspects, this study adopts a holistic approach, integrating socio-technical theory with empirical analysis to uncover the complex interdependencies shaping judicial digitization. Its originality lies in the development of a transition roadmap that not only identifies key drivers and barriers but also maps their hierarchical relationships, providing a clear strategy for policymakers. Furthermore, the study contributes to the global discourse on e-justice by offering a case study from a developing country, enriching the understanding of how digital transformations unfold in diverse institutional contexts. For academics, it opens new avenues for research on judicial innovation, while practitioners can leverage its findings to design more effective digitization policies and programs.