Virtual reality technology and operational performance: The mediating role of contextual awareness in Brimob Polda Ace

This study aims to examine the impact of the utilization of virtual reality technology on operational performance, with a focus on understanding the mediating role of contextual awareness. The research was conducted in Indonesia, specifically at the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) of the Aceh Regional Police (Polda Aceh). A quantitative approach was used in this study, employing a questionnaire consisting of questions designed based on variable indicators that had been validated and tested for reliability in previous research. Data were collected from a sample of 292 personnel from Brimob Polda Aceh. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach was used for data analysis, allowing for the testing of hypothesized relationships between variables. The results of the study show that the utilization of virtual reality technology has a significant positive impact on operational performance, and that contextual awareness acts as a mediating variable influencing the relationship between virtual reality technology utilization and operational performance. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the utilization of virtual reality technology can enhance operational performance through the mediation of contextual awareness among personnel. These findings provide valuable insights for the application of virtual reality technology in improving operational performance in law enforcement agencies and suggest the importance of integrating new technologies to enhance the effectiveness of operational tasks.