DigiTech Agility for Business Competitiveness and Innovation Imperatives

Nazrul Islam is Chair Professor of Business and Director of Research Degrees at the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, University of East London (UEL), UK - where he also serves as Associate Director of the Centre of FinTech. He holds a PhD in Innovation Management, and his interdisciplinary work bridges innovation, strategy, and emerging technologies - advancing understanding of how organizations adapt to technological change and global digitalization. Professor Islam’s current research explores responsible artificial intelligence, social mobility, and innovation ecosystems, with a focus on how digital transformation can foster equitable and sustainable economic growth. Professor Islam’s scholarship has appeared in top journals in the field and across four authored books. His research has received global recognition, earning the Brad Hosler Award for Outstanding Paper (USA) and the Pratt & Whitney Canada Best Paper Award. Most notably, his pioneering studies on innovation and artificial intelligence were cited by The White House in the 2024 Economic Report of the President of the United States, underscoring the international relevance of his work. He has been featured in the Financial Times, ZDNet, The Economist Impact, and Outlook Business – underscoring the policy and public engagement impact of his work. Prof Islam has regularly been invited to give talks by the UK Government’s Social Mobility Commission, the British Safety Council, and the Federation of Small Businesses in the UK. Beyond his research, Professor Islam serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association for Management of Technology (IAMOT) and Business and Applied Sciences Academy of North America (BAASANA) in USA. He holds several key editorial appointments: Associate Editor, Technological Forecasting and Social Change (ABS-3*); Department Editor (Technology Management), IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management (ABS-3*); and Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning (ABS-1*). He also regularly acts as Managing Guest Editor for special issues in journals such as Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, and IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management among others.

Serajul Bhuiyan is a professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at Savannah State University, USA, with over 30 years of experience in academia and journalism. He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication and an MBA, and his expertise spans journalism, digital media, communication research, and business strategy. Dr. Bhuiyan is known for his research on the evolving relationship between traditional and digital media, and the impact of technology on global communication practices. As a journalist, Dr. Bhuiyan has interviewed global leaders such as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, with his work published internationally. He has also produced documentaries and contributed columns to media outlets worldwide. Dr. Bhuiyan has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international conferences, and authored several influential books and chapters. He is committed to media literacy and the transformative role of technology in society. In the classroom, he teaches a wide range of courses, equipping students with research skills and ethical foundations in journalism and business communication. Dr. Bhuiyan’s leadership and global perspective make him a valuable editor and thought leader in the field.

Nazrul Islam is a Professor of International Business at the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB). Previously, he served as Pro-Vice Chancellor at Northern University Bangladesh (2020–2024) and Canadian University of Bangladesh (2019–2020). He holds a PhD and MBA in International Business from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, and earlier degrees from the University of Dhaka. Professor Islam began his academic career at Khulna University in 1991 and has since held senior roles at BRAC University, North South University, East West University, and others, including multiple deanships. He has supervised numerous PhD and MPhil scholars and currently mentors doctoral students at Bangladesh University of Professionals. An accomplished researcher, Prof. Islam has published 76 articles in international refereed journals indexed by Scopus and ABDC, 35 papers in local journals, and presented at over 50 international conferences. He serves on editorial boards of several national and international journals and has reviewed business schools for SAQS accreditation. Prof. Islam has authored four books and received the Bangladesh Education Leadership Awards in 2017 and 2018 for his contributions to business education