

Dear colleagues, friends, esteemed researchers, and practitioners
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the First International Conference in Open Innovation and Digital Transformation.
I would also like to deliver my warm heartfelt greetings to all participants in the First International OIDT conference.
My sincere gratitude goes to our plenary and invited keynote speakers. I would also like to thank all the session chairs and
people who are involved in making the conference a successful event.
The conference provides an opportunity for the presentation of the latest research results related to theoretical and practical
issues in open innovation and digital transformation. As innovation is no longer just a voluntary action for all types of
organizations, the conference will bring the elite of researchers, industry, business, and public sector leaders to meet the
needs of their customers and citizens. Continuous innovation is necessary. Constantly, questioning the way things are done
and seeking new possibilities becomes the new norm. However, with limited human and financial resources, developing continuous
innovation is a challenge which needs external collaborations. Open innovation is the possible solution to overcome this
challenge. Open innovation refers to an organization's ability to use multiple external sources, such as customer feedback,
published patents, competitors, external agencies, and the public, in addition to its internal resources, such as internal
knowledge and sources and resources to develop innovative products, services, and business models. Therefore, it is worthwhile
for researchers and practitioners to discuss and understand the latest updated theoretical results and best practices in open innovation.
Digital transformation is instrumental in bringing about open innovation. Understanding how all sorts of organizations embed and implement
digital transformation (i.e., Methods, tools, drivers, challenges, etc.) is crucial for both researchers and practitioners. Open innovation
and digital transformation both require major changes in organizational processes and activities to deliver value for customers and/or
citizens. Despite being closely connected, the current academic literature treats these domains as separate worlds which prevents the
development of this domain and does not give clear answers to practitioners about what to do and how to do it. Therefore, the key theme
of this conference focused on both issues from theoretical and practical perspectives. It is a great advantage to participate in this
conference to sharpen ideas about the interrelated relationship between open innovation and digital transformation. This year's open
innovation and digital transformation conference is expected to attract more than 300 participants and keynote speakers from around
the world representing academics, industries, business, innovation, and public leaders. The event presents a great opportunity for
networking and collaboration with experts and researchers from around the globe.
Once again, on behalf of my colleagues at AGU and all the conference committees, I would like to welcome you again, and assure you that
each member of the involved committees will ensure your stay in Bahrain is special and memorable. I hope you make use of this opportunity
to participate in the conference and to visit one of the most attractive countries in the Middle East, the Kingdom of Bahrain, where you
enjoy a unique historical, social, and cultural environment. Also, please do not forget to enjoy the sandy beaches with blue sky and bright
sunshine in the wintertime.
Dean of Graduate Studies
The conference Chair.