Loughborough

University Webinar

A webinar on "International (Digital) Business: Opportunities and Challenges" was conducted by Dr. Suzanne Elayan, lecturer in Information Management and Programme Leader for MSc in Information Systems and Digital Innovation at Loughborough University. The session was held over Zoom for final-year students attending from a classroom setting. Dr. Elayan provided insightful perspectives on how digital transformation is reshaping global business landscapes, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges in this evolving space.

The session began with an overview of how digital technologies are disrupting traditional business models. Dr. Elayan illustrated this by discussing companies such as Uber, Airbnb, and WhatsApp, which operate without traditional assets yet dominate their respective industries. She emphasized the rise of digital-first strategies, where businesses are increasingly relying on data-driven models to enhance efficiency and expand globally. She also touched upon the significance of open data, explaining how publicly available datasets can assist in market research, business intelligence, and strategic decision-making.

However, the discussion was not limited to opportunities alone. Dr. Elayan also shed light on the challenges businesses face in the digital space. Key issues included cybersecurity threats, regulatory compliance (such as GDPR), and infrastructure limitations in certain markets. She illustrated these with real-world examples, such as data breaches affecting companies like Facebook and regulatory challenges faced by digital giants like Google and Meta. Additionally, she highlighted the complexities of utilizing open data due to inconsistencies in formats, translation issues, and difficulties in ensuring data validity over time.

Towards the end of the webinar, students actively engaged with the speaker by asking two thought-provoking questions. Dr. Elayan provided detailed responses, reinforcing key takeaways from the session and leaving students with a deeper understanding of international digital business dynamics.

The webinar concluded on a highly positive note, proving to be both enlightening and engaging. Dr. Elayan’s insights not only broadened the students’ perspectives on digital business but also encouraged them to think critically about the future of global commerce in the digital age.

GALLERY