Museum institutions sustainability formula based on the practices, issues, and challenges of digitalisation, cultural tourism, and online learning in Malaysia / Muhamad Amirul Hafiz Zulkifli

Museum institutions play a bigger role in maintaining, preserving the culture, heritage, history, and arts of valuable collections, and displaying the objects to facilitate experience to the visitors in a physical/online environment. In Malaysia, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia (JMM) is responsible for executing government strategies to spur the development of museum institutions through holistic strategic management and governance. Recently, museums have changed from being predominantly traditional (custodian) institutions to becoming increasingly focused on audience attractions. Previous literature has stated that to become increasingly focused on audience attractions, museums should focus on digitalisation, cultural tourism, and online learning. This study was conducted using a qualitative analysis by interviewing a total of seven (7) informants working in six (6) museums under Jabatan Muzium Malaysia (JMM). The results of interviews with the informants found various practices, issues, and challenges across museums under Jabatan Muzium Malaysia (JMM). These museums do emphasize digitalisation, cultural tourism, and online learning, but did not implement it thoroughly. Based on these results, this thesis suggested a formula for the sustainability of museum institutions in Malaysia. Museums in Malaysia must focus on four main areas, which are the people, technology, strategic management, and investment to remain sustainable. The outlined museum sustainable formula provides an idea for constructing better strategies and execution plans that fit the economic conditions and current technological needs regarding museum’s sustainability in Malaysia.