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.