Conference on transforming business through digitalisation

Participants of the conference

The digital transformation journey of any business is a period of organisational turbulence even in the best of global conditions. It is a time of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) convergence. The 3rd International Conference on “Transforming Business through Digitalisation: Insights, Tools And Techniques” was organised by the College of Management, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Ramapuram Campus, Chennai in collaboration with UTAR on 25 February 2022 to enable researchers and experts from the field to explore the need for digitisation in the present business and find solutions and tools to transform digital business and close gaps in businesses in the era of digitisation.

In the conference held via Zoom, Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Pok Wei Fong presented a keynote address titled “E-commerce adoption Readiness and Need Identification in the Timber Industry”. In her presentation, she spoke about the overall contribution and challenges faced in the timber industry, Malaysia’s e-commerce rising trend, policy landscape of Malaysia’s e-commerce and network connection, marketing and delivery services, factors hindering the adoption of e-commerce in the timber industry and other related topics.

Dr Pok explaining the profile of respondents

Dr Pok said, “Almost all timber companies, especially in Peninsular Malaysia have adopted basic ICT devices and tools. The adoption rate of computers and internet access has surpassed the average national adoption rate. Timber and timber product companies do not fully tap on web-based technologies to explore business opportunities, citing cost constraints and lack of business expertise. Thus, ICT usage needs to be enhanced in the timber industry.”

From top to bottom: Center for Healing Environment Administration and Research (HEAR), Tunghai University, Taiwan Director Dr Chou Ying Chyi, SRM Institute of Science and Technology Director Dr V. Subbiah Bharathi, Dean for Science and Humanities Dr C. Sundar, Vice-Principal Dr N. Asokan, Vice-Principal Dr J. Dhilipan and Head of Department of College of Management Dr R. Arulmolu delivering their speeches

Advisory board members from UTAR were Dr Pok, FAM Head of Economics Department Dr Sia Bik Kai and FAM academic Dr Yeong Wai Mun. Previously, UTAR and SRM signed MoU on 22 February 2022 to facilitate staff and student exchanges, mutual visits by staff for research, training, seminars, conferences, talks, lectures and workshops, and collaborate in joint research projects. The international conference is one of the many collaborations between the two parties.