Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Lee Chia Kuang wins second place in 16th MAPIM-KPT Award

PUTRAJAYA, 9 December 2025 – The paper titled ‘From Complexity to Clarity: A DEMATEL Analysis of Critical Blockchain Technology Adoption Factors’, produced by the Deputy Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty of Industrial Management (FPI), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Lee Chia Kuang, won second place at the 16th MAPIM–KPT Award for the category of Best Journal Paper (Social Sciences and Humanities) through the paper published in the Journal of Governance and Integrity (FIM UMPSA) during the 16th MAPIM–KPT Award Ceremony held at Dewan Zaaba, KPT Malaysia.

The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Director-General of Higher Education (Academic and Research), Department of Higher Education, Professor Dr Zainal Amin Ayub.

According to Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Lee, the success of this paper stemmed from efforts to understand complex blockchain technology issues that often create confusion among industry players and policymakers.

“The DEMATEL method used in this study enables complex cause-and-effect relationships to be translated into a clearer and more practical framework, thereby facilitating organisations to evaluate technology adoption factors more systematically.

“This analytical approach provides a comprehensive picture of critical elements such as scalability, interoperability, and security, which often become the main barriers in blockchain implementation,” he said.

Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Lee added that the findings of this study also provide an important foundation for the formulation of more effective digital transformation policies, in addition to helping accelerate the integration of new technologies into the national supply chain.

“DEMATEL not only offers academic value, but also guides industry in managing risks, enhancing system security, and formulating more sustainable digital implementation strategies.”

This achievement further strengthens his record of accomplishments over the past five years, including active involvement as a contributor to the development of global standards by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

According to him, involvement in the preparation of the PMBOK® Guide Seventh and Eighth Editions, The Standard for Program Management, and Risk Management in Portfolios, Programs, and Projects enabled him to apply expertise in systems thinking and complex project structuring at the international level.

“That experience catalysed the quality of the research conducted.

“Innovations such as the DEMATEL Digraph, which won the Gold Award as well as the Best Innovation Award at MTE, are the result of in-depth exploration of critical factor interactions in projects, further strengthening the research carried out at UMPSA,” he said.

In addition, he has received the UMPSA Industry Collaboration Quality Award (AKIM) for two consecutive years, and was previously named Most Promising Academician in 2018.

He has also been selected as a member of the Young Scientists Network–Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN–ASM) since 2023, in addition to winning various innovation awards at national and international levels.

This MAPIM–KPT recognition once again elevates the name of UMPSA as an institution committed to producing high-impact research.

He expressed appreciation to the university, which consistently provides space for research excellence, and described this award as proof that advanced analytical approaches are capable of making significant contributions to industry, policymakers, and the advancement of knowledge.

This achievement is not merely a personal success but a shared success with UMPSA, which always prioritises integrity, innovation, and research that benefits society.

By: Nur Hartini Mohd Hatta, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press