Pioneering the digital readiness for Malaysian museums: custom framework

Abstract

A museum is a hub for public exploration and education of community or country culture and traditions. Digital technologies transform museums into interactive experiences, engaging visitors and bringing cultural values to life. However, Malaysian museums struggle to adopt digital technologies due to limited infrastructure, expertise, exhibition technology, and budgets. These constraints hinder effective audience engagement and limit growth and modernisation efforts. To help Malaysian museums in digitalisation, this study aims to contextualise a digital readiness index (DRI) questionnaire. The findings of this pioneering study have yielded a unique and customised version of the DRI questionnaire specifically designed for Malaysian museums, marking the first-ever initiative of its kind in the country. The DRI serves as a pivotal scale or tool for managers and researchers, facilitating the evaluation and validation of a museum’s digitalisation status while guiding strategic planning for future advancements. This questionnaire enables researchers and museum managers to gain insights into the museums and understand which dimensions require focus and enhancement to ensure a successful and comprehensive transition towards digital transformation.