Digital Transformation is here. That is a fact which has consumed different aspects of living. Even in the world of HR, digitalisation is making strides. Luckily, there is one expert on the matter who has taken charge in making sure it is accessible for fellow leaders. In its newest feature, rockbird media would like to introduce Dr. Murugappan, the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
Upon striking a conversation with the CHRO, we asked his part in how digitization was applied in his organization. “I believe Digitalisation is the main focus instead of Digitisation since digitalisation involves not only technology (digitisation) but also strategy, structure, culture, capabilities and understanding customers.” He expressed that this modern complex meshwork connecting the world resulted in new opportunities and threats.
Due to the disrupted normalcy at the start of the decade, businesses scrutinized traditional global value chains and looked toward Digitalisation or digital transformation. Dr. Murugappan shared that MCMC has been on their DT journey for the past 3 years through their BigFish initiative which prioritized optimizing workflows, enhancing data management, boosting employee productivity, and ensuring citizen-centric service. By leveraging technology such as IoT, AI, and RPA, it showed remarkable achievement as they had a 16.79% increase in work quality which proves that their initiative stands out for its comprehensive approach in applying DT.
During the discussion with the thought leader, he told us about his current doctoral research on Digital Transformation Leadership Black Box (DTLBB), prompting us to ask something about it that can impact Malaysia soon. It is about contributing literature on Malaysia’s digital transformation.
“Traditional leadership significantly differs from digital leadership; with various studies indicating poor digital leadership as among the main reasons for businesses’ unsuccessful DTs. The available literature with regard to this phenomenon, in the Malaysian context; was inadequate to generate relevant theoretical themes, or testable hypotheses. I employed an exploratory sequential design for the study.”
Dr. Murugappan believes that his findings would further enhance understanding of digital leadership capabilities, and their relationship to the DT lifecycle- within the Malaysian context.
This prompted us to ask how crucial leadership will be in the digital transformation. The HR Leader emphasized that despite the digitally driven need for change, it is people that need to deliver it.
“Successful digital transformations happen when capabilities are present at every stage to steer and supplement each other, making this a holistic process, rather than a specifically targeted one. DT encompasses both, the adoption of technology, as well as leadership capabilities; with transformational, transactional, heroic, and distributed leadership styles…”
But, these legacy models are not enough as there’s a new one– Digital Transformation Leadership. With traits such as the ability to recruit and retain digital-savvy talents and breaking department barriers, it is still facing unique challenges, especially since leaders are dispersed worldwide. With studies lacking behind, it’s a good thing Dr. Murugappan has started working on one as it grows more relevant and crucial.
To cap off the insightful back and forth, we asked what advice he has for HR leaders to be equipped in the transforming HR landscape. Being the CHRO of MCMC, he answered based on experience.
“To implement strategies that can enhance earning power for employees while bridging critical skills gaps that hinder organizational success.” He listed the best practices such as flexible work strategies, job architecture reflecting organizational strategy, shifting focus towards employee skills and experience as opposed to formal degree requirements, and most importantly, overcoming resistance to change.
Additionally, he believes that these initiatives not only foster a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation but also position Malaysia competitively in the global market.
If you think you got to the gist of who Dr. Murugappan is, then you are mistaken. Join us this upcoming September 24 at Berjaya Times Square where he will lead with a Keynote Presentation. There is so much more to him that we would love for you to hear from the herald of digitalisation himself. See you!
