An Initiative to Measure the Impact of Digital Business Transformation on the Bumiputera B40 Entrepreneurs’ Economy: A Conceptual Paper

This conceptual paper examines the potential impact of digital business transformation on the economic outcomes of Bumiputera B40 entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Positioned within the bottom 40% of household income earners, this group faces structural challenges such as limited access to capital, inadequate digital literacy, and insufficient technological infrastructure, which restrict their participation in the digital economy. Recognizing these barriers, this study seeks to conceptualize how digital tools and strategies can enhance their business performance and economic resilience. The paper employs the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as the theoretical lens to explore factors influencing digital adoption, including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. By integrating these constructs with insights from the Resource-Based View (RBV), the framework underscores how digital capabilities may serve as strategic resources that strengthen entrepreneurial competitiveness and sustainability. Rather than presenting empirical results, this study proposes a research model that links digital adoption with business performance, moderated by entrepreneurial orientation. The model highlights both opportunities and barriers to digital transformation for Bumiputera B40 entrepreneurs, offering a structured foundation for future empirical investigations. The contribution of this paper lies in advancing theoretical understanding of digital transformation in marginalized entrepreneurial contexts, while also providing policy-relevant insights. It calls for collaborative efforts between government, industry, and academia to design inclusive digital support systems, ensuring that digitalization serves as a catalyst for reducing socio-economic disparities and fostering equitable economic growth in Malaysia.