Final Draft MDEC Research On Digital Technology of 3

RESEARCH ON THE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY
OCCUPATIONAL FRAMEWORK (OF)
JABATAN PEMBANGUNAN PERBADANAN EKONOMI DIGITAL

KEMAHIRAN MALAYSIA
KEMENTERIAN SUMBER MANUSIA KEMENTERIAN KOMUNIKASI DAN
MULTIMEDIA
Department of Skills Development Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation

Ministry of Human Resources Ministry of Communications and Multimedia
Department of Skills Development
Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia
First Printing 2020

Copyright Department of Skills Development
Ministry of Human Resources
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Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Research on the Digital Technology Industry

Occupational Framework
ISBN 978-967-2393-12-2
ABSTRACT
This research is to identify the relevant job areas and Malaysian Standard Industry
Classification (MSIC) 2008 Section J‟s Divisions related to the Digital Technology
Industry in Malaysia. This is because of the unique nature of the Digital Technology
Industry that encompasses several industry sectors and this industry being integral in
enabling the digitisation of all faucets of life. Previous Occupational Framework (OF)
development focused on the Information and Comunication Technology (ICT) industry,
however with technological advancements and changing role of ICT, the industry is
gradually known as the Digital Technology industry. The research will apply the
sequential explanatory mixed methods approach where there are two sequential phases
which begins with the quantitative phase, followed by the qualitative phase. The
quantitative phase was conducted via a survey. The survey sample was 338 respondents
from the population of 2798 Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status companies.
However, in order to obtain a higher response rate, the survey was sent to the whole
population. Despite sending the survey several times and contacting several of the
sample companies, the response was only 60 responses, with only 55 valid responses
that were analysed. The findings from the survey were further confirmed by an
experience panel of industry practitioners whom confirmed the findings were accurate
despite the low response rate. The research findings identified two main sub-sectors:
Digital Creative Content and ICT Services. These sub sectors are further categorised
into Animation Production, Video Games Development, Digital Technology
Infrastructure, Software Development, Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Quality
Assurance, Information Services and Industrial ICT. The main Malaysian Standard
Industry Classification (MSIC) 2008 Section related to the Digital Technology Industry
is MSIC 2008 Section J, and the related MSIC 2008 Sections are MSIC 2008 Section C,
M, P, R Contributions of the research is the industry‟s groups of job areas, Occupational
Structures (OS), MSIC 2008 Sections Framework and list of competencies. Further
work based on this research can be conducted such as the development of the
Occupational Framework (OF) for the Digital Technology Industry.
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
LIST OF FIGURES vi
LIST OF TABLES viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xi
LISTOF GLOSSARY xiii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Background of Research 2
1.3 Problem Statement 7
1.4 Objective of Study 7
1.5 Research Questions 7
1.6 Scope of Study 8
1.7 Structure of Chapters 8
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 9
2.1 Introduction 9
2.2 Descriptions of the Digital Technology Industry 9
2.2.1 A Roadmap Toward a Common Framework 9
for Measuring the Digital Economy‟ –
OECD
2.2.2 Definition of the Digital Economy Tiers 12
2.2.3 Descriptions of MSIC 2008 Sections 15
Related to the Digital Technology Industry
2.2.4 Labour Market Related Definitions 17
2.3 Mapping of Digital Technology Areas to Previous 18

OF
ii
2.4 Definitions of Common Terms Used Throughout 22
Research
2.4.1 National Skills Development Act 652 (Year 22
2006)
2.4.2 Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF) 22
2.4.3 Occupational Framework (OF) 24
2.4.4 National Occupational Skills Standard 24
(NOSS)
2.4.5 Competency Based Training (CBT) 24
2.4.6 Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification 25
2008 (MSIC 2008)
2.5 Key Stakeholders 25
2.5.1 Government Agencies and Regulatory 25
Bodies
2.5.2 Industry Associations and Professional 29
Bodies
2.6 Government Legislations, NOSS, Policies and 32
Initiatives
2.6.1 Legislations 32
2.6.2 Relevant National Occupational Skills 37
Standards (NOSS)
2.6.3 Government Policies and Initiatives 45
2.7 MSIC 2008 Codes under Section J (Information and 66
Communication)
2.8 Industry and Market Intelligence 75
2.8.1 Employment Statistics 76
2.8.2 Economic Indicators 85
2.9 Examples of ICT/Digital Technology Frameworks 87
in Other Countries
2.10 Digital Technology Industry Issues and Challenges 91
2.10.1 Industry Revolution 4.0 91
2.10.2 The Gig Economy 92
2.10.3 The Global Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020 93
iii
2.11 Chapter Conclusion 94
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 95
3.1 Research Design 95

3.2 Research Procedure 96
3.3 Research Instruments 98
3.3.1 Focus Group Discussion Guide (Semi- 98
structured questions)
3.3.2 Survey Instrument 99
3.4 Validity and Reliability of Survey Instrument 100
3.5 Data Collection 104
3.6 Population 104
3.7 Sampling 107
3.7.1 Qualitative Data Collection Sampling 107
3.7.2 Quantitative Data Collection Sampling 107
3.8 Data Analysis 110
3.8.1 Qualitative Analysis 110
3.8.2 Quantitative Analysis 110
3.9 Limitations 110
3.10 Research Activities 111
CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 113
4.1 Chapter Introduction 113

4.2 Demographics of Survey Respondents 113
4.2.1 Job Designation 113
4.2.2 Location 114
4.2.3 Type of Company‟s Business Activities 115
4.3 Findings for Research Question 1 116
4.3.1 Description of Digital Technology Industry 120
iv
Job Areas
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 140
5.1 Chapter Introduction 140

5.2 Conclusions 140
5.3 Recommendations 146
5.3.1 Digital Technology Industry Occupational 146
Framework Development
5.3.2 MDEC to Function as a Consultative Role 147
in OF and NOSS Development for the
Digital Technology Industry
5.3.3 Occupational Frameworks to Be 147
Developed According to MSIC 2008
Group (3 digits)
5.3.4 To Include Additional MSIC Section P and 148
R in Future Review of ICT Satellite
Account 2019
REFERENCES 149
ANNEXURES
ANNEX 1: MOSQF LEVEL DESCRIPTORS 151
ANNEX 2: LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS 154
ANNEX 3: PILOT STUDY SURVEY FORM 158
ANNEX 4: SURVEY VALIDATION FORM 171
ANNEX 5: REVISED SURVEY FORM 173
v
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURES TITLE PAGE
Figure 2.1 Malaysian Digital Technology Industry 2017 Talent 45

Indicators
Figure 2.2 2020 Skills Demand Trend 46
Figure 2.3 Career Pathway for Data Science 48
Figure 2.4 Career Pathway for Cybersecurity 49
Figure 2.5 Career Pathway for Animation – Animator and Lighting 49
Figure 2.6 Career Pathway for Animation - Rigging and Modeling 50
Figure 2.7 Career Pathway for Games – 2D /3D Artist 50
Figure 2.8 Career Pathway for Games – Game Design/Game 51
Programming/Game Production
Figure 2.9 Contribution of Digital Economy 52
Figure 2.10 Digital Economy Components 53
Figure 2.11 Employed Persons And Employment-To-Population Ratio, 79
January 2018 – September 2020
Figure 2.12 Employed Person By Status In Employment, August and 79
September 2020
Figure 2.13 Unemployed Persons and Unemployment Rate, 1982 - 2019 80
and January - September 2020
Figure 2.14 Share of Outside Labour Force By Reasons For Not Seeking 81
Work, August And September 2020
Figure 2.15 Labour Force and LFPR, 1982 - 2019 and January - 82
September 2020
Figure 2.16 Labour Productivity in the Third Quarter of 2020 84
Figure 2.17 Performance of Services Sector for the Third Quarter of 86
2020
Figure 2.18 European ICT Profile of ICT Professionals 90
Figure 3.1 Research Operational Framework 97
Figure 3.2 Pie Chart Number of MSC Status Company According to 107
Clusters
Figure 4.1 Frequency of Survey Respondent‟s Job Positions 114
vi
Figure 4.2 Location of Business Activities 114
Figure 4.3 Frequency of Job Areas Related to Business Activities 115
Figure 4.4 Digital Technology Industry Job Areas Identified Pre Survey 116
Figure 4.5 Agreement on Digital Technology Job Areas 117
Figure 4.6 Digital Technology Industry Job Areas 124
vii
LIST OF TABLES
TABLES TITLE PAGE
Table 1.1 Digital Technology Industry – MSIC Mapping 5

Table 2.1 Mapping Between Areas under the Digital Technology 19
Industry, MSIC 2008 Section J and Previous OF reports
Table 2.2 Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF) Chart 23
Table 2.3 List of Government Agencies and Regulatory Bodies for 26
the Digital Technology Industry
Table 2.4 List of Industry Associations and Professional Bodies 29
Relevant to the Digital Technology Industry
Table 2.5 List of Relevant Legislations Related to the Digital 32
Technology Industry
Table 2.6 Existing NOSS Relevant to the Digital Technology 37
Industry
Table 2.7 NOSS under MSIC 2008 Section J ((Not under Digital 42
Technology Industry)
Table 2.8 ICT Satellite Account MSIC 2008 Sections Relevant to the 57
ICT Industry
Table 2.9 Summary of MSIC 2008 by Section, Division and Group 66
(Section J Information And Communication, Division 58,
Group 581, 582)
Table 2.10 Description of MSIC 2008 by Section, Division, Group, 66
Class and Item (Section J Information And
Communication, Division 58, Group 581, 582)
(Section J Information and Communication, Division 59,
Group 591, 592)
Class and Item (Section J Information and Communication,
Division 59, Group 591, 592)
viii
LIST OF TABLES
TABLES TITLE PAGE
Group 601, 602)

Group 611, 612, 613, 619)
Division 61, Group 611, 612, 613, 619)
Group 620)
Division 62, Group 620)
Group 631, 639)
Table 3.1 Research Objectives, Research Questions and Research 95
Methods
Table 3.2 Cronbach Alpha Value of Survey Instrument 101
Table 3.3 List of Items to be Deleted based on Cronbach Alpha Value 102
Table 3.4 Pilot Study Highlights 102
Table 3.5 Composition of Active MSC Companies By State 105
Table 3.6 MSC Status Company Clusters Vs. Digital Technology 106
Industry Sub-sectors
ix
LIST OF TABLES
TABLES TITLE PAGE
Table 3.7 Number of MSC Status Company According to Clusters 106

Table 3.8 Krejcie and Morgan Table for Determining Sample Size 108
from a Given Population
Table 3.9 Strata Sample Size 110
Table 3.10 List of Research Activities 111
Table 4.1 Type of Company‟s Business Activities 115
Table 4.2 Survey Respondents Reasons for not Agreeing to Job Areas 117
Table 4.3 MSIC 2008 Section J Groups Related to Digital 119
Technology Industry Job Areas
Table 4.4 Occupational Structure for Animation (1 of 4) 125
Table 4.8 Occupational Structure for Video Game Development (1of 129
2)
Table 4.9 Occupational Structure for Video Game Development (2 of 130
2)
Table 4.10 Occupational Structure for ICT Services (1 of 4) 131
Table 4.14 Mean, Median and Mode Values of Non-Technical 136
Competencies
Table 4.15 Mean, Median and Mode Values of Technical 136
Competencies
Table 4.16 MSIC 2008 Sections Relevant to the Digital Technology 138
Industry
Table 5.1 Digital Technology Industry and Related MSIC 2008 144
Sections
x
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
2D Two Dimensional
3D Three Dimensional
AI Artificial Intelligence
ANIMAS Animation Society of Malaysia
ANIMATES Animation Malaysia Educators Society
APEL Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning
AR Augmented Reality
BDA Big Data Analytics
CBT Competency Based Training
DOSM Department of Statistic Malaysia
DSD Department of Skills Development
EU European Union
GDP Gross Domestic Product
ICT Information Communication Technology
ICTSA Information Communication Technology Satellite Account
IGDA International Game Developers Association
IoT Internet of Things
IP Internet Protocol
IR4.0 Industrial Revolution 4.0
ISIC International Standard Industrial Classification
IT Information Technology
LFPR Labour Force Participation Rate
MAMPU Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning
Unit
MASCO Malaysia Standard Classification of Occupation
MCMC Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions
MDEC Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation
MIDA Malaysian Investment Development Authority
MR Mixed Reality
MQF Malaysian Qualification Framework
MSC Multimedia Super Corridor
xi
MSIC Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification
MTSFB Malaysian Technical Standard Forum Berhad
MyIPO Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia
NACSA National Cyber Security Agency
NCS National Competency Standard
NOSS National Occupational Skills Standard
OA Occupational Analysis
OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
OF Occupational Framework
OS Occupational Structure
PIKOM Persatuan Industri Komputer dan Multimedia Malaysia
SIRIM Standard and Industrial Research Institute
SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training
UNSD United Nations Statistics Division
VR Virtual Reality
xii
LIST OF GLOSSARY
3R 3R refers to Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic which is

the entry requirement for Certificate level in the
Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF).
Application A computer program or a suite of computer programs
that performs a particular function for the user, such as a
word-processor.
Artificial The ability of a computer to mimic human attributes in
Intelligence
finding a solution to a problem.
Copyright Copyright refers to the legal right of the owner of
intellectual property.
Creative Commons Provides licensing structures people can use to license
their copyrighted work to anyone willing to abide by the
licensing term.
Data Information in a form which can be processed by a
computer. It can be text or sets of figures on which a
computer program operates.
Database A structured collection of data that can be used for a
variety of purposes.
Occupational Description A broad, general, and written statement of a specific
(OD)
occupation, based on the findings of an occupation
analysis.
Occupational Framework The outcome of an Occupational Analysis identifying
(OF)
the work scope and occupational areas in terms of
competencies.
Occupational Structure (OS) A visual depiction of occupations for a particular
industry in terms of occupation areas, occupation titles
and levels of competency.
Software A generic term describing all kinds of computer
programs, applications and operating systems.
Streaming Playing audio or video in real time from a website. In
order to play streaming multimedia files, you need a
xiii
specific Plug-in program that links in with your Browser
and plays the file as it is transmitted rather than
downloading it to your computer first.
Website A collection of pages of material on the World Wide
The pages are usually interlinked with one another and
with other websites.
xiv
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
This section introduces the research and previous work that has been conducted related
to the Digital Technology Industry Occupational framework. The main aim of this
research is to define the scope of the Digital Technology Industry which will guide the
development of the Occupational Framework (OF) for all areas under the Digital
Technology Industry. This Framework will identify the Malaysian Standard Industry
Classification (MSIC) 2008 Division and Groups relevant to the Digital technology
Industry. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has been appointed by the
Department of Skills Development (DSD) as an Industry Lead Body (ILB) which is an
advisory role for OF, NOSS development and subsequent JPK training programmes and
accredited centres for the Digital Technology Industry. MDEC‟s overarching role as an
ILB is in regards to manpower development related to digital technology. The use of
digital technology enables various industries to digitise their work or business.
Given the wide reach of the Digital Technology Industry, various occupations
related to this industry are found in other industries, where the Industry Occupational
Frameworks are developed under the guidance of MDEC and other Industry Lead Body
(ILB) s such as CyberSecurity Malaysia, FINAS, and MCMC. Therefore the main
outcome of this report will be Occupational Structures that will show occupations for
different areas under the Digital Technology Industry. Beginning in the year 2018, the
format for the OF is that it is developed in accordance to a particular Malaysian
Standard Industry Classification (MSIC) 2008 Section, division and group. This is to
avoid overlapping of any given Malaysian Standard Industry Classification (MSIC)
2008 Division and its corresponding Malaysian Standard Industry Classification
(MSIC) 2008 groups.
1
The Malaysian Standard Industry Classification (MSIC) 2008 is the standard
classification of productive economic activities of establishments/companies. Its main
purpose is to provide a set of activity categories that can be utilised for the collection
and presentation of statistics according to such activities. For purposes of international
comparability, the Malaysian Standard Industry Classification (MSIC) 2008 Version 1.0
conforms closely to the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic
Activities (ISIC) Revision 4, published by the United Nations Statistics Division, and
adapted according to national requirements. The objective of an industrial classification
system is to classify data related to the economy according to categories of similar
activities. The Malaysian Standard Industry Classification (MSIC) 2008 is a
classification of all types of economic activities and is not a classification of goods &
services nor is it a classification of occupations.1 It reflects the main business
conducted by the establishment or company.
Previous research has been conducted on the ICT Industry, such as the ICT
Industry Occupational Analysis developed in the year 2008, and the following review
on the ICT Occupational Analysis which was conducted in the year 2015. Based on the
fast paced technological advancements and the increasing integral role of ICT in almost
all industries, this year the OF for the ICT Industry is to be reviewed for the scope of the
Digital Technology Industry.
1.2 Background of Research
Although the terms ICT Industry and Digital Technology Industry seem to be used
interchangeably, this research has shown that the Digital Technology Industry is
actually a sub set of the ICT Industry. In order to understand the difference between the
ICT Industry and the Digital Technology Industry, its definition and scope should
initially be understood. According to the ICT Satellite Account produced by the
Department of Statistics Malaysia in 2019, ICT is defined as the following
1
MSIC 2008, Department of Statistics Malaysia.
2
“Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to the technologies and
services that enable information to be accessed, stored, processed, transformed,
manipulated and disseminated, including the transmission or communication of
voice, image and / or data over a variety of transmission media. ICT industry refers
to the industries which produce ICT products as primary activities.”
(Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), 2019)
This definition implied that the ICT Industry includes manufacturing, trade,
services, creative content and media. This is further described in the ICT SA (DOSM,
2019) document. Whereas Digital Technologies per se refers to electronic tools,
systems, devices and resources that generate, store or process data 2 (State Government
of Victoria, 2019) and also enables the creation and practical use of digital or
computerised devices, methods, systems, etc3. Based on these definitions, the Digital
Technology Industry should encompass the job areas related to ICT Services and Digital
Creative Content. This research recognises that the scope of the Digital Technology
Industry in this research refers to digitally delivered services which are defined as
delivered by methods that do not necessarily require computer networks, such as
human-to-human interactions via the phone (OECD-WTO-IMF, 2020).
Prior to identifying the suitable MSIC 2008 Section and Division that should be
studied in the Digital Technology Industry OF, preliminary literature review has been
conducted to determine the previous OF and OA research that are related to this
industry. Preliminary literature review has shown that there has been recent
development of OF relevant to the Digital Technology Industry as follows:
 ICT Industry OA developed in year 2008 and 2015.
2
State government of victoria. 2019. Australia. Education and trainning. Teaching with digital
technologies.
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/digital/Pages/teach.aspx#:~:text=Dig
ital%20technologies%20are%20electronic%20tools,across%20all%20curriculum%20learning%20areas
3
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/digital-technology
3
 Creative Content Industry OF developed by FINAS for DSD in 2016. (The
Creative Content Industry OF relates to the Digital Technology Industry in its
OS for Post Production personnel (i.e. Special Effects, CGI)).
 MSIC 2008 Section J: Information and Communication (MSIC 2008 Division
J61: Telecommunication) OF developed in 2019.
J62: Computer Programming, Consultancy and Related Activities) OF
developed in 2019.
J63: Information Service Activities) OF developed in 2019.
MDEC has proactively conducted research on the manpower requirements of the

Digital Technology Industry with other various government agencies and private
organisations. The research includes:
 Digital Talent Report 2017 – Produced by Frost & Sullivan for MDEC
 Malaysia Digital Economy 2018 – Published by the Department of Statistics
Malaysia
 The Industry Skills Framework (IndSF) for Digital Technology Industry 2019 –
Produced by HRDF in collaboration with MDEC
 ICT Satellite Account 2019 – Produced by the Department of Statistics Malaysia
These reports will be referred throughout the research, where this OF will be
mapped to the occupational areas highlighted in the aforesaid reports. Table 1.1 shows
the mapping between the aforesaid reports in order to initially identify the Digital
Technology Industry occupational areas before confirming these areas with the OF
research‟s FGD panel and survey respondents.
4
Table 1.1: Digital Technology Industry – MSIC Mapping
No MSIC 2008 OA ICT Malaysia Digital Digital ICT Satellite

Section J 2015 Digital Talent Technology Account
Divisions 2008 Sub Economy Report 2017 Industry 2019
sectors 2018 Skills
Framework
1. 58 - Publishing None None None None ICT Services
Activities – Publishing
2. 59 - Motion None None None None Other content

Picture, Video and media -
And Television Motion
Programme picture, video
Production, and television
Sound programme
Recording and activities
Music
Publishing
3. 60 - None None None None Other content

Programming and media-
and Programming
Broadcasting and
Activities broadcasting
activities
4. 61- None Core Digital None None ICT services-
Telecommunicat ICT Sector Telecommuni
ions (hardware cations
manufacture,
information
services,
software &
IT
consulting,
telecommuni
cation and e-
commerce
components)
5
No MSIC 2008 OA ICT Malaysia Digital Digital ICT Satellite
Section J 2015 Digital Talent Technology Account
Divisions 2008 Sub Economy Report 2017 Industry 2019
sectors 2018 Skills
Framework
5. 62 - Computer IT Core Digital Software/ Software ICT services
Programming, Security ICT Sector Hardware Development - Computer
Consultancy (hardware Development programming
And Related Solution manufacture, Cyber consultancy,
Activities Develop information Cyber Security information
ment services, Security and related
software & Digital activities
System IT Creative Creative
Infrastru consulting, Content and Content
cture telecommuni Technologies
Architect cation and e- (CCT)
ure commerce
components) Internet of Internet of
Things Things
Cloud / Data Systems

centre Integration
6. 63 - Global Core Digital Big Data Data Science ICT services

Information Business ICT Sector Analytics - Computer
Service Services (hardware programming
Activities manufacture, Financial consultancy,
Big Data information Technology information
services, (FinTech) and related
software & activities
IT E-Commerce
consulting,
telecommuni Non Tech
cation and
e-commerce
components )
This research recognises that since the previous ICT Industry OA was
developed, there have been technological advancements, notably Industry 4.0 that has
highlighted digital technology as an integral component in all working environments
such as manufacturing or services. Therefore, there should be additional occupational
areas or sub-areas identified based on industry input.
6
In summary of this section, the Digital Technology Industry occupational areas
mentioned in the listed reports are mostly mapped to the MSIC 2008 Divisions J 62
(Computer Programming, Consultancy and Related Activities) and J 63 (Information
Service Activities). MSIC 2008 Divisions J 59 and J 61 have been studied in other
reports, which are the MSIC 2008 Division 61 OF and Creative Content Industry OF
report. The OF for MSIC 2008 Division J 60 are suggested to be taken up by the
relevant publishing industry practitioners and broadcasting industry practitioners.
1.3 Problem Statement
Due to the fact that various industries have occupations related to Digital Technology,
this research aims to identify MSIC 2008 Sections and job areas related to the Digital
Technology Industry. This is pertinent in a time when there are various technological
advancements towards the digitisation of various aspects of daily life and business
operations. The identification of the MSIC 2008 Sections, divisions and industry job
areas Digital Technology Industry can be used as reference for the development of the
relevant OF.
1.4 Objective of Study
In general, the main objective of this study is to identify the job areas and MSIC 2008
Sections J Divisions relevant to the Digital Technology Industry encompassing all the
related industries. Specifically, the objectives of the study are as follows:
i. To identify the job areas related to the Digital Technology Industry.
ii. To explore the competencies in demand for the Digital Technology Industry.
iii. To produce a Digital Technology Industry Occupational Structure (OS) that
presents the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections and Divisions.
1.5 Research Questions
Research questions are generated early in the research in order to guide the research to
achieve the objectives of the study. The research questions are as follows:
7
i. What are the jobs areas related to the Digital Technology Industry?
ii. What are the competencies in demand for the Digital Technology Industry?
iii. What are the MSIC 2008 Sections and Divisions that should be included in the
Digital Technology Industry‟s Occupational Structure (OS)?
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of this study is to focus on the occupations relevant to the Digital Technology
Industry in Malaysia. The outcome is an Occupational Structure (OS) which will
facilitate the development of OF and OS for other industries that have Digital
Technology occupations.
The population of this research were the Digital Technology Industry

practitioners in Malaysia from various sub-sectors. The sample for the Focus Discussion
Groups were Digital Technology industry experts and practitioners, whereas the survey
sample was from MSC status companies in Malaysia to gauge which industries are
related to the Digital Technology Industry.
1.7 Structure of Chapters
This chapter concludes with a brief overview of the entire study, which includes:
a) In chapter 1, this chapter introduces the research; which consist of introduction,
problem statement, research objective, and research scope.
b) In chapter 2, this chapter provides a literature review regarding the Digital
technology industry in order provide further understanding.
c) In chapter 3, this chapter explains about the overall approach of the study and
method deployed to achieve objectives and to answer the research questions of
the study.
d) In chapter 4, this chapter shows the results and findings of the research based on
the approach and method deployed in this chapter.
e) In chapter 5, this chapter covers the conclusion on the research done and
recommendations for moving forward.
8
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter is unique for the Digital Technology Industry in the sense that it will
present the findings of a systematic literature review of the content from the prior
Occupational Framework reports related to the Digital Technology Industry‟s MSIC
2008 Section J, Information and Communication. The following section will review the
various descriptions of the Digital Technology Industry, followed by pertinent
information about the industry such as stakeholders, legislations, related NOSS and
similar research.
2.2 Descriptions of the Digital Technology Industry
The following are descriptions of the Digital Technology Industry as described in

various research conducted locally and internationally.
2.2.1 A Roadmap Toward a Common Framework for Measuring The Digital

Economy’ – OECD
This research mainly refers the description of the Digital Technology Industry explained
in the report produced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and
Statistics and Data Directorate (SDD) „A roadmap toward a common framework for
measuring the Digital Economy‟ published in 2020. This is because the report by OECD
takes into account the description of the industry from various international agencies
such as the European Commission, International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International
Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations
9
Statistics Division (UNSD) and Digital Economy Task Force (DETF) participants. An
important element is that this report ties in the description with input from the
International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) which
is the main reference for Malaysia‟s MSIC 2008 under the Department of Statistics
Malaysia (DOSM). Below are the descriptions of the main areas as discussed in the
report.
a) ICT services
OECD (2020) explains that ICT services (e.g. IT system design, software
development), ICT-enabled services, and also digitally delivered services (e.g.
editing, management services and education services) can be potentially
delivered offline or online.
ICT services‟ definition was developed by the OECD Working Party on

Indicators for the Information Society (WPIIS) and subsequently refined by the
Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development (UNCTAD, 2015). At the core
of this definition of ICT services is the service component of the ICT sector
which includes the following International Standard Industrial Classification
(ISIC) Revision 4 industry categories:
ISIC 582 - Software publishing
ISIC 61 - Telecommunications
ISIC 60 - Programming and broadcasting activities
ISIC 619 - Other telecommunications activities
ISIC 6202 - Computer consultancy and computer facilities
management activities
ISIC 6201 - Computer programming activities
ISIC 6311 - Data processing, hosting and related activities
ISIC 9511 - Repair of computers and peripheral equipment
ISIC 8549 - Other education or n.e.c.
In reference to MSIC 2008, the groups above match MSIC 2008 Division
under Section J, which are Division 62 and Division 63. However, other job
10
areas under the Digital Technology Industry such as those under Creative
Content which are Animation and Video Games, the definitions of the Digital
Economy Tiers are taken into consideration.
b) ICT enabled services
ICT-enabled services have no internationally agreed definition, except for the

definition by the UNCTAD led Task Group on Measuring Trade in ICT Services
and ICT-enabled Services (TGServ). ICT-enabled services are defined as “all
activities that can be specified, performed, delivered, evaluated and consumed
electronically that is to say, all services that “are delivered remotely over ICT
networks” (UNCTAD, 2015).
c) Digitally Delivered Services
Digitally delivered services are defined in the Handbook on Measuring Digital

Trade as “all services that are delivered remotely in an electronic format, using
computer networks specifically designed for the purpose” (OECD-WTO-IMF,
2020). This implies that digitally delivered services are delivered by methods
that do not necessarily require computer networks, such as human-to-human
interactions via the phone (OECD-WTO-IMF, 2020).
However, both digitally delivered services and ICT-enabled services

have the potential to be significantly broader than the more basic ICT services
based on the ICT sector. For example, in 2018, digitally deliverable service
exports amounted to $2.9 trillion or 50 per cent of global services exports while
exports of ICT services were about $568 billion (UNCTAD, 2019).4
Digitalisation has become integral in industries and products originally

classified as part of the ICT sector, which means that the ICT sector is now
considered as a digital enabling sector or the Core Digital Economy. It provides
4
https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/tn_unctad_ict4d10_en.pdf
11
the infrastructure and related goods and services to allow industries to leverage
digitalisation (OECD, 2019d). International Offices and statistical offices have
developed definitions that have contributed to discussion on various elements of
digitalisation. Definitions of services‟ products such as cloud computing, digital
intermediary services and of technologies such as artificial intelligence have
been agreed upon at the OECD level. On an industry basis, decisions on clear
definitions to better identify and aggregate groups of actors within the Digital
Economy have been made. Artificial intelligence and cloud computing are
examples where definitions have been debated and developed independently of
any formal classification update. (OECD, 2020)
The description of ICT services by OECD (2020) closely matches that of

the ICT Services job areas proposed in this research‟s Digital Technology
Industry OS, which is also described under ICT enabled services as an enabling
sector of the Core Digital Economy. The jobs under the Digital Technology
Industry are those that provide the solutions enabled by digital technology and
should be differentiated from users of ICT Services. The jobs under Digital
Creative Content match those under the OECD (2020) description of Digital
Delivered Services. These job areas are further described in the following
definition of Digital Economy Tiers.
2.2.2 Definition of the Digital Economy Tiers
There are three Digital Economy Tiers as explained in the OECD report in the previous
section (OECD, 2020). This section will provide more detail on each of the definitions
related to the Digital Economy Tiers.
a) Digital Economy Core Measure - “Economic activity from producers

of ICT goods and digital services”
This definition defines the Digital Economy Core Measure as output produced
by firms that enable the function of information processing and communication
by electronic means, including transmission and display (United Nations
12
Statistics Division (UNSD), 2008). In this way, the narrow definition of the
Digital Economy would be consistent with existing definitions for the ICT goods
and services within the established international standards, ISIC rev 4.0. This
definition is most acceptable by statistical offices. The core measure
incorporates all output generated by these producers including secondary
production rather than trying to define production based on the final product
produced. While it does not include much of the digital activity that most users
consider part of the Digital Economy, it would provide a clear indicator for the
increasing importance (and proportion) of the economy that producers of ICT
goods and digital services make up.
The research recognises that ICT services under the Digital Technology
Industry to match the definition of the Digital Economy Core Measure.
b) Digital Economy Narrow Measure - “Economic activity reliant on

digital inputs”
While still aligned with the existing GDP production boundary, this definition is
not focused on the final output or method of transaction but whether production
of the goods or services is reliant on digitalisation. Digitalisation has created
many new business models that are entirely reliant on digital inputs such as
digital services or data to exist but are not themselves producing ICT goods or
ICT and information services as defined in the core measure. This is different to
the additional firms that are incorporated in the broad measure where digital
inputs only enhance production rather than enabling production. Intermediary
platforms – including public digital platforms - that facilitate transactions
between producers and consumers are reliant on digital information and
technologies in order for this production to take place. These businesses
intensively use ICT goods and services to derive new types of value added but
are not considered producers of ICT goods or ICT and information services.
13
The research recognises that Digital Creative Content under the Digital
Technology Industry to match the definition of the Digital Economy Narrow
Measure.
c) Digital Economy, Broad measure Narrow measure “Economic

activity significantly enhanced by digital inputs”
ICT goods and services have also transformed conventional firms that now
leverage digitalisation to improve or extend business activity and processes.
Financial services for example, is still the fundamental service of “obtaining and
redistributing funds” however, in many countries, digitalisation has significantly
altered the way in which financial firms produce that same service. While the
inclusion of the word “significantly” does create an element of ambiguity, it is
important to generate a bar for which firms must reach to be considered part of
the Digital Economy.
Most organisations utilise ICT such as a personal computer or email. In

order to avoid a definition that includes almost all economic activity,
organisations should be differentiated between those that are assisted by using
this technology and those that are significantly enhanced by the use of digital
inputs. The use of the word significantly also acknowledges that in the real
world there is often no clear rigid boundary between digital and non-digital
activities, not only within a single domestic industry, but also when comparing
economic activity internationally. A given set of industries may be labelled as
“reliant or significantly enhanced by the use of digital inputs” in some countries,
but not in all.
This research has identified the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections to be

defined as being enhanced by digital inputs.
14
d) The Digital Society Broad measure -“Other activity reliant on or
significantly enhanced by digital inputs”
This definition includes digital activity that is not explicitly recorded as

economic production but results in additional consumer surplus, welfare and
other benefits to society such as the diffusion of information and knowledge.
While not strictly included in the proposed definition of the Digital Economy, it
is important to include in the set of tiers to provide a reference to digital activity
that government are required to make policy about. In the 2019 OECD
publication, “Going digital, shaping policies, improving lives”, it was observed,
“Digital technologies and large-scale data flows fundamentally change how
people live and work, interact with one another, participate in the economy, and
engage with the government”. Not all of these activities are included within the
measurement of GDP and therefore should not be explicitly considered as part of
the Digital Economy.
2.2.3 Descriptions of MSIC 2008 Sections Related to the Digital Technology

Industry
The MSIC 2008 Sections have also been studied to determine the sub-areas of MSIC
2008 Section J, which is Information Technology and Communication. The divisions
are elaborated below.
a) 59 - Motion Picture, Video And Television Programme Production,

Sound Recording And Music Publishing Activities
This division includes production of theatrical and non-theatrical motion pictures

whether on film, video tape or disc for direct projection in theatres or for
broadcasting on television; supporting activities such as film editing, cutting,
dubbing, etc.; distribution of motion pictures and other film productions to other
industries; as well as motion picture or other film productions projection. Also
included is buying and selling of motion picture or other film productions
distribution rights is also included. This division also includes sound recording
15
activities, i.e. production of original sound master recordings, releasing,
promoting and distributing them, publishing of music as well as sound recording
service activities in a studio or elsewhere. Division 59 also includes activities
such as editing, film/tape transfers, titling, subtitling, credits, closed captioning,
computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects, developing and
processing motion picture film, activities of motion picture film laboratories,
activities of special laboratories for animated films. (DOSM, 2008)
b) 61 - Telecommunications
This division includes the activities of providing telecommunications and related

service activities, i.e. transmitting voice, data, text, sound and video. The
transmission facilities that carry out these activities may be based on a single
technology or a combination of technologies. The commonality of activities
classified in this division is the transmission of content, without being involved
in its creation. The breakdown in this division is based on the type of
infrastructure operated. In the case of transmission of television signals this may
include the bundling of complete programming channels (produced in division
60) in to programmed packages for distribution. (DOSM, 2008)
c) 62 - Computer Programming, Consultancy And Related Activities
This division includes the following activities of providing expertise in the field
of information technologies such as writing, modifying, testing and supporting
software to meet the needs of a particular customer; planning and designing
computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software and
communication technologies; on-site management and operation of clients'
computer systems and/or data processing facilities; providing infrastructure for
hosting or data processing services; and other professional and technical
computer-related activities. (DOSM, 2008)
16
d) 63 - Information Service Activities
This division includes the activities of web search portals, data processing and
hosting activities, as well as other activities that primarily supply information.
(DOSM, 2008)
2.2.4 Labour Market Related Definitions
The Digital Economy is transforming labour market structures, the nature and content of
occupations, as well as supply and demand for certain skills. To analyse and monitor
these changes, relevant categories of occupations, tasks and workers have been defined.
One of the definitions include the definition for ICT specialists whom are defined as
“workers who have the ability to develop, operate and maintain ICT systems, and for
whom ICT constitute the main part of their occupation”. ICT specialists (i.e. people in
ICT specialist occupations) can be employed in any economic sector but are usually
related to companies applying medium or high use of digital inputs. Therefore, this
concept can be considered as a component of the Broad measure of the Digital
Economy.
Occupations in the Digital Economy are measured using Labour Force Survey
data classified according to the 2008 International Standard Classification of
Occupations; “ISCO-08” (OECD, 2015). The OECD adopts an operational definition
corresponding to the following International Standard Classifications of Occupations
(ISCO) which in Malaysia is known as the Malaysian Standard Classifications of
Occupations (MASCO).
According to ISCO-08, the occupations are as follows (OECD, 2019a):

133 (Information and communications technology service managers)
215 (Electrotechnology engineers)
251 (Software and applications developers and analysts)
252 (Database and network professionals)
351(Information and communications technology operations and user support
technicians)
17
352 (Telecommunications and broadcasting technicians)
742 (Electronics and Telecommunications Installers and Repairers)
2.3 Mapping of Digital Technology Areas to Previous OF
Table 2.1 shows the mapping between the areas under the Digital Technology Industry,
MSIC 2008 Section J and the previous OF developed for MSIC 2008 Division J59, 60,
61, 62 and 63. This is to show which areas that have been covered by previous studies.
18
Table 2.1: Mapping Between Areas under the Digital Technology Industry, MSIC 2008 Section J and Previous OF reports
59 - Motion Picture,
MSIC 2008 Section J 62 - Computer 63 -
58 - Video And Television 60 - Programming
INFORMATION AND 61- Programming, Information
Publishing Programme Production, And Broadcasting
COMMUNICATION Telecommunications Consultancy And Service
Activities Sound Recording And Activities
Related Activities Activities
Music Publishing
Digital Technology Industry Occupational Areas
Digital Creative Content X X
Digital Technology
X
Infrastructure
Software Development X
Big Data Analytics X
Cyber security X
Industrial ICT X
Information Services X
Occupational Framework – Creative Content
Production Management X
TV, Film and Live Production X
Production Support X
Computer Generated Image
X
(CGI) Production
Occupational Framework – Section J Division 61: Telecommunications
(611) Wired
X
Telecommunications Activities
(612) Wireless
X
(613) Satellite
X
(619) Other
X
Occupational Framework – Section J Division 62: Computer Programming, Consultancy And Related Activities
(620) Computer
X
Programming, Consultancy
19
Music Publishing
And Related Activities
Programming
 Programming (Web)
 Programming (Mobile)
 Programming (Game)
 Programming (VR
Software Application)
 Programming (Enterprise
Application)
(620) Computer
X
 Consultancy
(620) Computer
 Related Activities
(Database)
 Related Activities - UX
X
(Front End Design)
(Quality Assurance/
Quality Control)
(Infrastructure)
Occupational Framework – Section J Division 63 : Information Service Activities
631 – Data Processing,
Hosting and Related
X
Activities;
 Web Portals
20
Music Publishing
 Web Portal (Designing)
 Web Portal (Programming)
Hosting
 Data Processing
 Streaming Services
 Time Share Mainframe
 Application Service
Provider
639 – Other Information

Service Activities
 News (Coverage)
 News (Editing)
 Images (Photography)
X
 Images (Caption Writing)
Images (Photo Journalism)
Images (Drone
Photography)
OA ICT Industry (2015)

IT Security X
Solution Development X
Infrastructure Architecture X
Global Business Services X
Big Data X
Creative Digital Content X X X
21
2.4 Definitions of Common Terms Used Throughout Research
The following are the definitions of common terms related to skills training that are
referred throughout this research.
2.4.1 National Skills Development Act 652 (Year 2006)
The National Skills Development Act 652 came into effect on 1st September 2006 after
it was officially gazetted on 29th June 2006, with the mandate of promoting, through
skills training, the development and improvement of a person‟s abilities, which are
needed for vocation, and to provide for other matters connected therewith. The Act 652
is significant because for the first time in the history of skills training in Malaysia, a
national legislation has been enacted solely and exclusively for skills training and
development. In addition, the meaning and scope of skills training has been clarified and
given a statutory interpretation that can be used to distinguish it from other components
of the country‟s national education and training system. Act 652 also provides for the
implementation of a Malaysian Skills Certification System, leading to the award of five
(5) levels of national skills qualification, namely Malaysian Skills Certificate Level 1, 2
and 3; Malaysian Skills Diploma; and Malaysian Skills Advanced Diploma.
2.4.2 Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF)
The Malaysia Qualification Framework (MQF) refers to the policy framework that
satisfies both the national and international recognized qualifications. It comprises titles
and guidelines, together with principles and protocols covering articulation and issuance
of qualifications and statements of attainment. Element of qualification framework
indicates the achievement for each qualification title. It will also provide progression
routes for all the graduates in the respective occupational fields.
The MQF 2nd Edition5 has eight levels of qualification in three sectors and
supported by lifelong education pathways as shown in the Table 2.2. DSD governs the
skills sector, in which there are five (5) levels of skills qualification. The definition for
each level of skills qualification is specified in Malaysian Occupational Skills
5
Malaysian Qualification Agency. 2018. Malaysian Qualification Framework 2nd Edition.
22
Qualification Framework (MOSQF) and can be referred in Annex 1. MOSQF describes
the skills qualifications awarded by the Malaysian Skills Certification System. A trainee
equipped with required competencies as prescribed in the Standards will be entitled to
obtain qualifications as stated in the MOSQF.
Table 2.2: Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF) Chart

MQF Minimum Academic TVET Lifelong Learning/APEL
Level Graduating Sector Sector Criteria for APEL(A)
Credit
8 No credit PhD by Admission criteria:
rating Research 35 years old
Bachelor‟s degree in relevant
80 Doctoral field/equivalent
Degree by 5 years of work experience Passed
Mixed Mode APEL assessment
&
Coursework
7 No credit Master‟s by Admission criteria:
rating Research 30 years old
40 Master‟s by STPM/Diploma/equivalent
Mixed Mode Relevant work experience
& Passed APEL assessment
Coursework
30 Postgraduate
Diploma
20 Postgraduate
Certificate
6 120 Bachelor‟s Admission criteria:
degree 21 years old
66 Graduate Relevant work experience
Diploma Passed APEL assessment
36 Graduate
Certificate
5 40 Advanced 5
Diploma
4 90 Diploma 4 Admission criteria:
20 years old
Relevant work experience
Passed APEL assessment
3 60 Certificate 3 Admission criteria:
19 years old
Relevant work experience
Passed APEL assessment
2 30 Certificate 2 3R
1 15 Certificate 1 3R
(Source: Malaysian Qualification Framework 2nd Edition)
23
2.4.3 Occupational Framework (OF)
The Occupational Framework (OF) is described as the outcome of the occupational

analysis process to identify the occupational structure of an industry. The OF which was
previously known as Occupational Analysis (OA) consists of Occupational Structure
(OS), Occupation Description (OD) and Skills in Demand.
The development of the OF is a preliminary process in developing relevant

NOSS. Once developed, the NOSS can be used as the basis to conduct skills training
and skills certification of competent personnel.
2.4.4 National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS)
National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS) is defined as a specification of the

competencies expected of a skilled worker who is gainfully employed in Malaysia for
an occupational area, level and pathway to achieve the competencies and is gazetted in
Part IV of National Skills Development Act 652. NOSS is developed by the industry
experts based on the needs of the industry and is utilized as the main tool in the
implementation of Malaysian Skills Certification System in which the performance of
existing industry workers and trainees are assessed based on NOSS for awarding of
Malaysian Skills Certificate. Certification is given through accredited by centre of
accreditation, dual national training schemes and recognition of past achievements.
2.4.5 Competency Based Training (CBT)
Competency Based Training (CBT) is an approach to vocational training that

emphasises what a person can actually do in the workplace as a result of education and
training6. CBT is based on performance standards which are set by the industry with
main focus on measuring the performance while considering knowledge and attitude
rather than the duration taken to complete the course. CBT is a learner-centric;
outcome-based approach to training which allows each individual to develop skills at
their own pace for a similar outcome, thus meaning training practices can be customised
6
Barry Porter, Developing Competency Based Curriculum Modules: A Guidebook for TAFE Teachers
and Curriculum Writers (Sydney, NSW TAFE Commission, 1993)
24
for each individual to achieve a similar outcome. CBT concept is the basis of Malaysian
Skills Certification system which is coordinated by DSD.
2.4.6 Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification 2008 (MSIC 2008)
The MSIC 2008 is a standard classification of all productive economic activities in

Malaysia. Its main purpose is to provide a set of activity categories that can be utilised
for the collection and presentation of statistics according to such activities. Therefore,
MSIC 2008 aims to present these set of activity categories in such a way that entities
can be classified according to the economic activity that they carry out. For purposes of
international comparability, the MSIC 2008 Version 1.0 conforms closely to the
International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC)
Revision 4, published by the United Nations Statistics Division, with some
modifications to suit national requirements. The objective of an industrial classification
system is to classify data in respect of the economy according to categories of activities
and the characteristics of which will be similar. The MSIC 2008 is a classification of all
types of economic activities and is not a classification of goods & services nor is it a
classification of occupations7.
2.5 Key Stakeholders
The key stakeholders for the Digital technology industry in Malaysia are listed
according to the different MSIC 2008 Division under Section J. This is because there
are several OF reports produced prior to the Digital Technology OF. Thus to avoid
duplication of information, this report will focus on the similarities and differences in
terms of stakeholders relevant to Section J.
2.5.1 Government Agencies and Regulatory Bodies
The relevant Digital technology Industry government regulatory and statutory bodies
are listed in the following Table 2.3 according to MSIC 2008 Division.
7
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2008). Malaysia Standard Industrial Classification 2008 Ver. 1.0.
25
Table 2.3: List of Government Agencies and Regulatory Bodies for the Digital
Technology Industry
No. MSIC Government Responsibilities/ Functions related to

Div. Agency/Regulatory Digital technology
Body
1. 61, 62, 63 Malaysia Digital MDEC was established to strategically
Economy advise the Malaysian government on
Corporation(MDEC) legislation, policies and standards for ICT
and multimedia operations. MDEC was
entrusted to oversee the development of
the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)
Malaysia initiative, the platform to nurture
the growth of local technology companies
whilst attracting foreign direct
investments (FDIs) and domestic direct
investments (DDIs) from global
multinational companies to invest and
develop cutting-edge digital and creative
solutions in Malaysia.8
2. 61,62 , 63 Malaysian MCMC is responsible to implement and

Communications and enforce the provisions of the
Multimedia communications and multimedia law,
Commission regulate all matters relating to
(MCMC) communications and multimedia activities
not provided for in the communications and
multimedia law, consider and recommend
reforms to the communications and
multimedia law and supervise and monitor
communications and multimedia activities.9
3. 61, 62 ,63 CyberSecurity CSM was officially launched in 2007 and

Malaysia (CSM) provides specialised cybersecurity services,
such as: cybersecurity responsive services;
cybersecurity proactive services; outreach
and capacity building, strategic study and
8
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). (2019, May 29). Retrieved from https://mdec.my
9
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). (2019, May 29). Retrieved
from https://www.mcmc.gov.my/about-us/our-responsibility
26
Body
engagement; industry and research
10
development.
4. 58,59,60, Intellectual MyIPO provides trademarks, industrial
61,62,63 Property designs, geographical indications and
Corporation of copyright voluntary notification; advisory
Malaysia services on Internet Protocol (IP); provide
(MyIPO) IP information/statistics; IP training; patent
agent examination; online search, filing and
application status; outreach programmes and
helpdesk.
5. 61, 62, 63 MIMOS Berhad MIMOS contributes to transforming critical

infrastructure for advancement of the local
industry so that the nation can design,
produce and market high-quality products
by local capabilities due to the importance
of industrial
and economic growth; and provide
innovative solutions to enhance
productivity, support local industries and
improve their capacities through
technology. MIMOS research and
development has evolved from fundamental
discoveries in microelectronics and ICT at
the year of 1985 to 2005 to cutting edge
applied
frontier technology which is in line with the
changing models and key trends in global
industry. Currently, MIMOS focuses on
Big Data and Internet of Things, apart
from pursuing advanced electrical and
electronics engineering technologies. 11
6. 61,62, 63 National Cyber NASCA is responsible for securing and

Security strengthening Malaysia's resilience in
Agency (NACSA) facing the threats of cyber-attacks, by co-
10
CyberSecurity Malaysia. (2019, May 29). Retrieved from https://www.cybersecurity.my/en/index.html
11
MIMOS Berhad –National Applied R&D Centre. (2019, May 29). Retrieved from
http://www.mimos.my
27
Body
ordinating and consolidating the nation's
best experts and resources in the field of
cyber security. NACSA is also
committed to developing and
Implementing national-level cyber security
policies and strategies, Protecting Critical
National Information Infrastructures
(CNII), undertaking strategic measures in
countering cyber threats, spearheading
cyber security awareness, acculturation and
capacity-building
programmes, formulating strategic
approach towards combatting cyber-crimes,
advising on organisational cyber risk
management, developing and optimising
shared resources among agencies, and
fostering constructive regional and global
networks among entities with shared
interests in cyber security.12
7. 61, 62, 63 Standard and SIRIM is an industrial research and

Industrial technology organisation in Malaysia and
Research Institute oversees quality of products manufactured
(SIRIM) in Malaysia. SIRIM also focuses on
developing new technologies and
improvements in the manufacturing,
technology and services sectors.
8. 62, 63 Malaysian MAMPU is a central agency for the

Administrative Modernisation and transformation Of Public
Modernisation and Service Administration, (MAMPU).
Management MAMPU is responsible for developing ICT
Planning Unit for the public service sector; consultants in
(MAMPU) management organisation and ICT for the
public service sector; facilitator in the
implementation of modernisation and
transformation programmes
12
National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA). (2019, May 29). Retrieved from
https://www.nacsa.gov.my/legal.php
28
Body
in the public sector delivery system;
researcher in administrative modernisation
and management planning for the public
sector; promoter of government services to
the public.
2.5.2 Industry Associations and Professional Bodies
Industry associations and professional bodies support industry activities, development

and also protect the rights of a particular industry and the workers in the industry. There
are various industry associations and professional bodies related to the Digital
Technology Industry in Malaysia, The list can be referred in Table 2.4.
Table 2.4: List of Industry Associations and Professional Bodies Relevant to the
No MSIC Div. Organisations Overview, Roles, Function And

Responsibilities
1. 61, 62, 63 The National Tech PIKOM represents the local ICT industry to
Association of the government and private sector both local
Malaysia (PIKOM – and overseas and is active in improving the
Persatuan Industri business climate in the interests of all its
Komputer dan member companies and to promote
Multimedia industry growth in line with national
Malaysia) aspirations; maintain a balance view between
industry and regulatory on ICT-related
issues, foremost; provide a platform for ICT
players and users to meet, network, learn and
share ideas in order to bring the industry to
the next level; foster high standards of
conduct, service and performance
throughout the ICT industry; promote and
market local ICT services to the region and
overseas; keep the members updated on the
29
Responsibilities
latest industry trends and government

policy.13
2. 62 Animation Society The Animation Society of Malaysia,

of Malaysia, ANIMAS is a non-profit government
(ANIMAS) organization that promotes animation in
Malaysia. The idea towards the foundation of
ANIMAS was first discussed at the
Hiroshima Animation Film Festival in 1997.
Hassan Abd Muthalib, the director of Silat
Legenda, the first feature animation film in
Malaysia in 1998; Hisham Harun Hashim,
producer and executive producer of the first
Malaysian animated film, Silat Legenda and
Kamn Ismail, director of Usop Sontorian,
agreed to form ANIMAS. ANIMAS was part
of the main committee organizing the
Malaysia Film Festival and many other
events.
3. 62 International Game The International Game Developers

Developers Association is the largest non-profit
Association (IGDA) membership organization serving individuals
Malaysian Chapter that create video games. The Malaysian
Chapter was founded in the year 2001 and
aims to advance the careers and enhance the
lives of game developers by connecting
members with their peers, promoting
professional development, and advocating on
issues that affect the developer community.14
4. 58, 59 Animation Malaysia The Animation Malaysia Educators Society

Educators Society (ANIMATES) was successfully established
(ANIMATES) on 6 April 2017 in a meeting held at the
University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian
Institute of Information. The association was
13
National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM). (2019, May 29). Retrieved
from http://www.pikom.org.my/about-us/corporate-profile/
14
http://www.igda.org/?page=dss2015
30
Responsibilities
successfully registered and approved by the

Registry of Societies on 16 May 2018.
ANIMATES is a platform to bring together
educators and animation teachers from
lecturers of institutions of higher learning,
school teachers and practitioners
(practitioners) from the industry. The main
goal of the establishment is as a platform for
discussion in order to develop academics in
the field of animation to be prepared for the
needs of the industry. 15
5. 62, 63 Malaysian The Malaysian Technical Standard Forum

Technical Standard Berhad (MTSFB) was incorporated on 8th
Forum Berhad June 2004. It was subsequently designated as
(MTSFB) the Technical Standards Forum (TSF) by the
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
Commission (the Commission) on 27
October 2004 pursuant to Section 94
(Chapter 9 of Part V) and Section 185
(Chapter 3 of Part VII) of the
Communications and Multimedia Act 1998
(CMA 1998). MTSFB is responsible for the
establishment and maintenance of Technical
Codes based on the requirements of network
interoperability, safety and other technical
aspects of network facilities, network
services, approval of equipment and related
matters according to Chapter 9 of Part V and
Chapter 3 of Part VII of the CMA 1998.
Technical Code (TC) is a voluntary industry
code under the CMA 1998 which can be
prepared either on MTSFB‟s own initiative
or upon request by the Commission and is
not effective until registered by the
Commission. TC ensures network facilities,
services and equipment are interoperable and
safe. Working Groups (WGs) conduct the
15
Source of information is FGD panel and ANIMATES member Mohd. Khairi Ibrahim
31
Responsibilities
aforesaid roles focusing on subject matters

such as Infrastructure, Internet of Things
(IoT), Green Information and
Communications Technology (GICT),
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), 5G, Fixed
& Wireless Terminals, and several other
fields.
2.6 Government Legislations, NOSS, Policies and Initiatives
This section lists the legislations, NOSS, government policies, and initiatives relevant to
the Digital Technology Industry.
2.6.1 Legislations
Table 2.5 indicates the relevant legislations for the Digital technology Industry.
Table 2.5: List of Relevant Legislations for Digital Technology Industry
NO. MSIC Legislations Description

Division
1. 61,
1 62, 63 Malaysian This act implements and enforces the
. Communications provisions of the communications and
and multimedia laws; regulate all matters relating
Multimedia to communications and multimedia activities
Commission not provided for in the communications and
Act 1998 [Act 589] multimedia laws; supervise and monitor
communications and multimedia activities;
and encourage and promote the development
of the communications and multimedia
industry including in the area of research and
training16.
16
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). (2019, May 29). Retrieved from
https://www.skmm.gov.my/legal/acts
32
Division
2. 61, 62, 63 Malaysian Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
Communications Commission (Disciplinary Committees and
And Multimedia Disciplinary Appeal Boards) Regulations
Commission 2007- P.U. (A) 219/2007.
(Amendment) Act Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
2002 [ Act A1231] Commission Disciplinary Regulations 2007-
P.U.(A) 218/2007
3. 63
2 Copyright This act is in regards to unauthorised
. (Amendment) transmission of copyright works over the
Act 1987 [Act 332] Internet an infringement of copyright;
infringement of copyright to circumvent any
effective technological measures aimed at
restricting access to; check unauthorised
transmission of copyright works over the
Internet; and ensure adequate protection of
intellectual property rights for companies
involved in content creation in the ICT
and multimedia environment.
4. 63 Official Secrets The act defines an official secret as any

Act 1972 [Act 88] document specified in the Schedule and any
information and material relating thereto and
includes any other official document,
information and material as may be classified
as 'Top Secret', 'Secret', 'Confidential' or
'Restricted', as the case may be, by a Minister
or Chief Minister of a State or such public
officer; and the Schedule to the Act covers
Cabinet documents, records of decisions
and deliberations including those of
Cabinet committees, as well as similar
documents for state executive councils. It
also includes documents concerning national
security, defence and international relations.
5. 63 Sedition Act 1948 The Sedition Act specifies that anyone who
[Act 15] does or attempts to do, or makes any
preparation to do, or conspires with any
person to do an act with seditious tendency,
such as uttering seditious words, or
33
Division
printing, publishing or importing seditious
literature, is guilty of sedition.17
6. 63 BERNAMA Act This Act establishes and incorporate s the

1967 [Act 780] Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia or in
English the Malaysian National News
Agency and to make provisions for the
management and supervision thereof and
other matters connected therewith.
7. 61, 62, 63 Computer Act 563 deals with unauthorised access to

Crimes Act 1997 computer material, unauthorised access with
(Act 563) intent to commit other offenses and
unauthorised modification of computer
contents. It also makes provisions to
facilitate investigations for the enforcement
of the Act. Offences that are listed from Act
563 are such as unauthorised access to
computer material; unauthorised access with
intent to commit or facilitate commission of
further offense; and unauthorised
modification of the contents of any
computer.
8. 61, 62, 63 Communications This Act provides for and to regulate the
And Multimedia converging communications and multimedia
Act 1998 [Act industries, for incidental matters.
588]
9. 61, 62, 63 Communications  Communications And Multimedia
And Multimedia (Universal Service Provision) Regulations
(Amendment) 2002 - P.U.(A) 419/2002
Act 2004 [Act  Communications and Multimedia (Appeal
A1220] Tribunal) (Members‟ Remuneration)
Regulations 2009 - P.U.(A) 118/2009
 Communications and Multimedia (Appeal
Tribunal) (Appeal Procedure) Regulations
2009 - P.U.(A) 117/2009
17
Sedition Act 1948 - AGC (2019, May 29). Retrieved from
http://www.agc.gov.my/agcportal/uploads/files/Publications/LOM/EN/Act%2015.pdf
34
Division
 Communications And Multimedia
(Compounding Of Offences) Regulations
2001- P.U.(A) 346/2001
(Technical Standards) Regulations 2000 -
P.U.(A) 124/2000
(Licensing) Regulations 2000 - P.U.(A)
129/2000
(Spectrum ) Regulations 2000 - P.U.(A)
128/2000
 Radio communication (Advertising)
Regulations 1985 - P.U.(A) 12/85
10. 63 Digital Signature An Act to make provision for, and to regulate

Act 1997 [Act the use of, digital signatures and to provide
562] for matters connected therewith. Related
regulations are the Digital Signature
Regulations 1998 - P.U. (A) 359/1998.
11. 63 Personal Data The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 [Act
Protection Act 709] regulates the collection, recording,
2010 [Act 709] holding or storing of personal data, and
carrying out of any operation on personal
data for commercial transactions. The Act,
however, does not restrain a party from
processing data if the processing is done
legitimately, in accordance with its
principles. The Personal Data Protection Act
(PDPA) does not apply to Federal and State
Governments; non-commercial transactions;
personal, family and household affairs; credit
reference agencies; personal data processed
outside of Malaysia (unless the data is
intended to be further processed in Malaysia).
The PDPA applies to personal data used in
commercial transactions that relates to a
living individual who can be identified
directly or indirectly. Personal data includes:
Name, NRIC No., Passport No., Address,
35
Division
email Address, information from personal
file, photos, sensitive data (e.g. medical
history), and CCTV images.
12. 58,59, 62, Creative Commons Creative Commons Malaysia was first
62 launched in 2006 by Professor Lawrence
Lessig (Chairman and CEO of Creative
Commons). Malaysia Digital Economy
Corporation (MDEC) supported in hosting
and bringing CC Malaysia since late 2005
until 2007. Throughout 3 active years,
MDEC had been organizing workshops,
talks, discussions, CC competitions to foster
Malaysians to participate in the CC
Movement by adapting the sharing culture by
creating and remixing creative content.
Creative Commons offers the public a free
set of copyright licenses and these licenses
will help the creator or licensee what can and
cannot be done in relation to their work that
has been created. It is primarily for works on
the Internet and it can be in any form such as
video recording, audio-visual recording,
music recording, image, video, text or
interactive design. The different license
options available are proprietary, non-
commercial, non-derivative work and jointly
shared.
Ownership allows others to copy, distribute,
communicate, present to the public creative
work only if they credit the creator or
licensee, while non-commercial means work
only for non-commercial purposes. Non-
derivative work means that the creator or
licensee allows others to copy, distribute,
communicate, and present to others only
verbatim copies (word for word) of the work.
36
2.6.2 Relevant National Occupational Skills Standards (NOSS)
There have been 65 NOSS developed by DSD in relevance to the Digital technology
Industry for the respective occupation areas shown in Table 2.6 below.
Table 2.6: Existing NOSS Relevant to the Digital Technology Industry

(Source: Adapted from the NOSS Registry (DSD, 2020))
No MSIC MSIC Occupation Area NOSS Title/ Code

2008 Group
Division
1. J58 J582 Creative Multimedia -3D IT-062-5:2016
Game Visual 3D Game Art
Development and
Management (04-02-2016)
Game Visual 3D Game Art Production
And Development
(04-02-2016)
Game Visual 3D Game Visual Art
(16-12-2014)
4. J58 J582 Creative Multimedia - 2D IT-061-3:2014
Game Visual 2D Game Visual Art (16-
12-2014)
5. J58 J582 Visual Art IT-065-3:2016
Visual Art
(04-02-2016)
6. J58 J582 Game Design IT-067-5:2016
Game Design
7. J58 J582 Game Design IT-067-4:2016
Game Design (24-05-
2016)
8. J58 J582 Game Programming IT-068-5:2016
Advanced Game
Programming
(24-05-2016)
9. J58 J582 Game Programming IT-068-4:2016
Game Programming
(24-05-2016)
10. J58 J582 Interactive Multimedia IT-070-5:2011
Creative Content
Development
(30-09-2000)(20-12-2011)
11. J58 J582 Interactive Multimedia IT-070-4:2011
37
2008 Group
Division
Creative Content
Development
(30-09-2000)(20-12-2011)
12. J58 J582 Interactive Multimedia J582-001-3:2019
Interactive Multimedia
Design
(30-09-2000)(18-11-
08)(07-08-2019)
13. J58 J582 Creative Multimedia - IT-053-5:2013
Concept Design Concept Design
(24-04-2013)
Concept Design Concept Design
(24-04-2013)
15. J59 J591 2D Animation IT-057-5:2014
2D Animation Content
Production (02-04-2014)
16. J59 J591 2D Animation L4 IT-057-4:2014
Animation Production
Operation (02-04-2014)
17. J59 J591 2D Animation J591-002-3:2019 2D
Animation Technical
Application (02-04-
2014)(07-08-2019)
18. J59 J591 Creative Multimedia – 3D IT-054-5:2013
Modeling - 3D Rigging 3D Animation Modeling
& Rigging Management
(24-04-2013)
Modeling - 3D Rigging 3D Animation Modeling
& Rigging (24-04-2013)
Animation 3D Animation Content
Production (24-04-2013)
Animation 3D Animation Production
Operation (24-04-2013)
Lighting & Rendering 3D Lighting & Rendering
Production Operation (02-
04-2014)
Lighting & Rendering 3D Lighting & Rendering
Production Operation (02-
04-2014)
38
2008 Group
Division
Lighting & Rendering 3D Production Operation
Support (24-04-2013)
25. J59 J591 Creative Multimedia – IT-058-5:2016
Graphic Design Communication Design
(Digital) (24-05-2016)
26. J59 J591 Creative Multimedia – L4 IT-058-4:2016
Graphic Design Graphic Design
Application (Digital) (24-
05-2016)
Graphic Design Graphic Design (Digital)
(02-04-201
Visual Effects Visual Effects
Compositing Compositing Management
(02-04-2014)
Visual Effects Visual Effects
Compositing Compositing Production
(02-04-2014)
Visual Effects Rotoscoping (02-04-2014)
Compositing
Animation & VFX CGI Storyboarding (24-
Storyboarding 05-2016)
32. J61 J611 Packet Switch Core EE-037-5:2012
Network Packet Switch Core
Network Architecture (18-
12-2012)
Network Engineering (18-
12-2012)
Network Implementation
& Development (NID)
(18-12-2012)
35. J61 J611 Circuit Switch Networking EE-038-3
Circuit Switch Senior
Technician (18-12-2012)
36. J61 J611 Circuit Switch Networking EE-038-2
Circuit Switch Technician
(18-12-2012)
39
2008 Group
Division
37. J61 J611 Wired Transmission EE-321-5:2012
Infrastructure Wired Transmission
Infrastructure Management
(08-07-99)(05-04-2012)
Infrastructure Wired Transmission
Infrastructure Management
(08-07-99)(05-04-2012)
Infrastructure Transmission
Infrastructure Installation
and Maintenance (24-09-
98)(05-04-2012
40. J61 J612 Internet Protocol (IP) EE-041-5:2013
Technology (IP) Network Elements
Planning & Advanced
Troubleshooting (30-12-
2013)
Technology (IP) Network Elements
Testing & Troubleshooting
(30-12-2013)
Technology Internet Protocol (IP)
Network Elements
Installation, Configuration
& Maintenance (30-12-
2013)
43. J62 J620 Cyber Security J620-001-5:2019
Cyber Security Penetration
Testing & Assessment
(30-01-2019)
44. J62 J620 Server Programming IT-122-5:2011
Application Development
and Management (20-12-
2011)
Server Application
Development and
Application Development
(06-07-2000) (18-11-
2008)(24-05-2016)
47. J62 620 Application Systems IT-121-5:2011
Development - Database Database Programming
40
2008 Group
Division
Programming (20-12-2011)
Development - Database Database Programming
49. J62 620 Application Systems IT-010-5 :2013
Development Application Systems
Implementation &
Integration (06-07-2000)
(24-04-2013)
50. J62 620 Application Systems IT-010-4 :2013
Development Systems Module
Development (06-07-
2000)(24-04-2013)
51. J62 620 Computer System IT-020-5:2013
Computer Systems
Management (30-09-
97)(30-09-2000) (18-11-
2008)(24-04-2013)
Computer Systems
Administration
Computer System
Operation
54. J62 620 ICT System Security IT-090-5
ICT System Security
Technologist (23-06-2009)
55. J62 620 Computer Network IT-030-5:2013
Computer Network
Management (23-12-
97)(30-09-2000)(24-04-
2013)
Computer Network
Administration (23-12-
97)(30-09-2000) (24-04-
2013)
Computer Network
Services (30-09-97)(30-
09-2000) (18-11-08)(24-
04-2013)
58. J62 620 Infrastructure Support IT-035-5:2014
IT Infrastructure
Development (16-12-
41
2008 Group
Division
2014)
59. J62 620 Infrastructure Support IT-035-4:2014
IT Support & Maintenance
(16-12-2014)
Development - Multimedia Multimedia Programming
Development - Multimedia Multimedia Programming
62. J63 J630 Solution Development - IT-052-5:2013
Web Web Development (24-04-
2013
63. J63 J630 Data Processing IT-082-5:2016
Data Mining Management
& Analysis (24-05-2016)
Data Mining Operation
(24-05-2016)
Data Collection (24-05-
2016)
Table 2.7 below shows there are 29 NOSS that are under MSIC 2008 Section J but have
not been identified to be under the Digital Technology Industry in this research.
Table 2.7: NOSS under MSIC 2008 Section J ((Not under Digital Technology Industry)
(Source: Adapted from the NOSS Registry (DSD, 2020))

Div. Group
1. J59 J591 Multimedia Production - IT-074-3:2012
Digital Creative - Video / Film(Prop) (18-
Production 12-2012)
2. J59 J591 Digital Creative-Video/Film IT-073-5:2012
– Post Production-Visual Video / Film Production
Effect (Visual Effect) (18-12-
2012)
– Post Production-Visual Film Production (Visual
Effect Effect) (18-12-2012)
42
Div. Group
– Post Production-Visual Film Concept Design
Effect (Visual Effect) (18-12-
2012)
5. J59 592 Multimedia Production - IT-071-5:2011
Video / Film Production Video/Film Production
(Shooting) (Shooting) (20-12-2011)
(Shooting) (Shooting) (30-09-
2000)(20-12-2011)
(20-12-2011)
9. J62 J620 Biotechnology BT-010-3
Bioinformatics
Programmer (18-11-08)
10. J62 J620 Biotechnology BT-010-2
Bioinformatics Assistant
Programmer (18-11-08)
11. J63 J630 Solution Development - IT-052-4:2013
Web Web Development (24-04-
2013)
12. J63 J630 Geographical Information IT-081-5
System (GIS) Geospatial Manager (10-
12-10)
System (GIS) Geospatial Executive (10-
12-10)
System (GIS) Geospatial Technician (10-
12-10)
15. J63 J630 Contact Centre - Inbound IT-100-3:2013
Inbound Customer
Engagement Lead (10-12-
10) (31-12-2013)
Inbound Customer
Engagement Operations
(10-12-10) (31-12-2013)
17. J63 J630 Contact Centre - Outbound IT-101-3:2013
Outbound Customer
10) (31-12-2013)
43
Div. Group
Outbound Customer
(10-12-10) (31-12-2013)
19. J63 J630 Contact Centre - Support IT-102-3:2013
Support Customer
10)
20. J63 J630 Contact Centre - Support IT-102-2:2013
Support Customer
(10-12-10) (31-12-
2013)10) (31-12-2013)
21. J61 J611 Electronic Communication D-030-3
Communication Personnel
(Electronic) (04-04-97)
Communication Operator
Communication Operator
24. J61 J611 Structured Cabling System D-500-3
(Passive) Structured Cabling System
Technician (25-04-05)
25. J61 J611 Structured Cabling System D-500-2
(Passive) Structured Cabling System
Installer (25-04-05)
26. J58 J582 Digital Creative IT-051-5:2012
Audio Production
(30-09-2000)(05-04-2012)
Audio Production
(30-09-2000)(05-04-2012)
Audio Production
(30-09-2000)(20-12-2011)
Audio Production
(30-09-2000)(20-12-2011)
44
2.6.3 Government Policies and Initiatives
This section provides information on related government policies and initiatives for the
Digital technology industry. There have been various reports produced by government
agencies and research firms in regards to the Digital Technology Industry. Some of the
more prominent reports have been reviewed and discussed below.
a) Digital Talent Report 2017
The Digital Talent Report 2017 that had been prepared by Frost & Sullivan
projected that the digital workforce will grow to 0.54 million by 2020. Figure
2.1 shows the Malaysian digital technology industry 2017 talent indicators.
Figure 2.1: Malaysian Digital Technology Industry 2017 Talent Indicators

(Source: Frost & Sullivan, 2017)
Figure 2.1 shows that in 2017, an estimated 355,119 employees were

engaged in the digital industry in areas such as ICT services,
telecommunications, content, and media. The figure excludes employment in
ICT manufacturing and trade as the study coverage is in line with MDEC‟s focus
45
areas. More than 88% of current talents in digital industry are local; with
majority having more than 3 years of experience. Strong government
commitment is a critical driver in propelling Malaysia‟s digital scene. Talent
requirement to grow by 15% over the next three years to reach over 540,000
occupations by 2020s due to business expansion and a favourable economic
outlook driven by five focus areas.
By 2020, 50% of the companies would require talent related to software

development, followed by database management and networking and network
security. This is shown in Figure 2.2 below.
Figure 2.2: 2020 Skills Demand Trend

(Source: Frost & Sullivan, 2017)
b) Digital Technology Industry Skills Framework
The Industry Skills Framework (IndSF) for Digital Technology was produced as
a comprehensive guide for individuals, industry, institutions of higher learning,
46
training providers and stakeholders to be familiar with the required knowledge,
experiences, skill mastery and promote lifelong learning in the digital industry.
The IndSF includes a common reference for skills and competencies required in
the digital industry to help individuals make informed decisions on skills
development, employers to recognise skills and invest in skills training for their
employees, and training providers to design programs that addresses the sector‟s
manpower and skills needed.
Digital Technology IndSF is a comprehensive skills document which is

co-produced by MDEC, PIKOM, HRDF and Key Industrial Players &
Associations. It is placed under the learning ecosystem and landscape due to the
nature of the document which is both non-exhaustive and promotes continuous
learning cycle between employers, employees and potential job seekers. This
document will be reviewed from time to time to meet the industry‟s current
needs in terms of core skills and competencies. Considering the dynamic nature
of the digital industry, both PIKOM and MDEC proposed for six key emerging
focus areas to be developed into the Framework which are:
 Software Development (including Blockchain Development, Mobile App
Development, Web Development, User Experience, User Interface,
Digital Trade, etc.)
 Data Science (including AI, Analytics, BDA, Machine Learning, etc.)
 Digital Creative Content (including Animation, Games, Interactive
Media, e-Sports, etc.)
 Cyber-security
 Internet of Things
 System Integration
The framework has been implemented in phases, where the completed

frameworks are for Data Science, Cyber-security, Animation and Games
Development. The frameworks for the other areas will be developed in future.
Each framework includes the following information: Job Description,
47
Competencies, Common Certifications, Essential/Core Skills, Common Used
Tools/New Technologies, Soft Skills and Career Pathway.
The career pathway shows the job progression according to the Skills
Framework for the Information Age. The SFIA is a model for describing skills
for professionals working in the field of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT), software engineering and digital transformation. It was
published in 2000 by the British Computer Society (BCS). The levels of
responsibility in the SFIA are such as S1 (Follow), S2 (Assist), S3 (Apply), S4
(Enable), S5 (Ensure/Advise), S6 (Initiate/ Influence) and S7 (Set strategy,
inspire, mobilise). These levels of responsibility are reflected in the career
pathways shown in Figure 2.3 – Figure 2.8 below.
Figure 2.3: Career Pathway for Data Science

(Source: HRDF IndSF for Data Science)
48
Figure 2.4: Career Pathway for Cybersecurity
(Source: HRDF IndSF for Cybersecurity)
Figure 2.5: Career Pathway for Animation – Animator and Lighting

(Source: HRDF IndSF for Animation)
49
Figure 2.6: Career Pathway for Animation - Rigging and Modeling
(Source: HRDF IndSF for Animation)
Figure 2.7: Career Pathway for Games – 2D /3D Artist

(Source: HRDF IndSF for Games)
50
Figure 2.8: Career Pathway for Games – Game Design/Game
Programming/Game Production
(Source: HRDF IndSF for Games)
c) Malaysia Digital Economy 2018
This publication of Malaysia Digital Economy 2018 presents statistics that were
obtained from information on the Usage of ICT and E-Commerce by
Establishment (ICTEC) 2018, Annual Economic Statistics (AES) 2018 for ICT
Services Sector, ICT Use and Access by Individuals and Household (ICTHS)
2018 and Information and Communication Technology Satellite Account
(ICTSA) 2018. This was the first publication initiative by DOSM that provided
statistics on digital economy to meet the needs of government agencies,
economists, academicians, private sectors and individuals for planning and
formulating policies, economic analysis, projection and assist in business
development planning. Figure 2.9 shows the contribution of the Digital
Economy in Malaysia.
51
Figure 2.9: Contribution of Digital Economy
(Source: DOSM, 2018)
This report discussed the concept of Digital Economy. Generally, digital

economy could be referred as a wide range of economic activities that use
digitised information and knowledge to deliver the production. The internet, big
data, cloud computing, crypto currency and other new digital technologies are
used to collect, store, analyse, and share information digitally and transform
social interactions. Bukht and Heeks (2017) developed a practical approach to
differentiate between core, narrow and broad scopes of digital economy which
has been discussed in earlier sections of this chapter. The ICT producing sector
(ICT manufacturing industry) and various digital services include platform
economy services as parts of the core and narrow scopes in digitalised economy
as illustrated in Figure 2.10 below:
52
Figure 2.10: Digital Economy Components
Figure 2.10 shows the scope of the Digital Economy for Malaysia that
comprises of core digital ICT sector and broad scope of digitalised economy. It
includes hardware manufacture, information services, software & IT consulting,
telecommunication and e-commerce components. The importance of the digital
economy has attracted enthusiasm of economist and policy makers to quantify
the enormous consequence to the economy of Malaysia. In 1996, Malaysia
launched the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) initiative in which it was
envisioned that the ICT sector would play an essential role in transforming this
country into a developed economy by 2020. As a result, Malaysia has enacted
the outline of Legal Framework and policies that lead to the increase of
advanced telecommunications infrastructure and higher broadband penetration.
Malaysia has a comprehensive legal framework relating to the use of the internet
53
and digital technology to ensure the advantages of digital economy that could
benefit the users including the industry players.
The adoption of digital technologies across the public and private sectors,
in manufacturing, services and agriculture will be essential to enable significant
productivity growth in Malaysia. Furthermore, investors are more attracted and
show higher interest in digital economy areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI),
Big Data Analytics (BDA), Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity.
The report also discussed the positioning of Malaysia in the Global

Context as elaborated below:
 In 2018, Malaysia was ranked at 27th out of 63 countries in the world.

 The Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 2018 Rankings placed Malaysia at
25th from 140 countries. (The index measures national competitiveness
in which defined as the set of institutions, policies and factors that
determine the level of productivity for a country. Malaysia scored 74.4
points as compared to the 1st rank USA 85.6 points.)
 Digital Adoption Index (DAI), a worldwide index was developed for the
World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends. It measured the
intensity of digital adoption around the world from three aspects of the
economy: government, business and people of the country. In 2016,
Malaysia ranked at 41st out of 180 countries for DAI, above some other
ASEAN countries such as Brunei Darussalam and Thailand.
 According to OECD, Bilateral Trade Database by Industry and End-use
category (BTDIxE), Malaysia was among the world‟s top 10 exporters of
ICT goods in 2015 besides Singapore, Germany and Japan.
d) ICT Satellite Account 2019
The Information and Communication Technology Satellite Account (ICTSA) of

Malaysia 2019 is based on the System of National Accounts 2008, OECD Guide
to Measuring the Information Society 2011 and OECD Internet Economy
54
Outlook 2012. The compilation of ICTSA is based on the System of National
Accounts in Malaysia. The term "satellite account" is adopted to reflect the
nature of the account developed which means it is different from the core set of
National Accounts that presents additional information which is beyond the
available information provided in the National Accounts. This satellite
information focuses on a particular aspect of the economy for example
contribution of ICT to the nation. It describes additional information specific to
ICT such as income, exports, imports and employment. The development of a
satellite account is a systematic statistical measurement that applies concepts,
definitions and classification which are based on international standard to enable
comparison among countries. Various information available in different agencies
was compiled to provide a holistic and better picture of the impact of ICT
industry in Malaysia.
The concepts and definitions in the ICTSA were adapted to Malaysia‟s

current ICT landscape. Details of ICT industry are described in the
Classification Section. The main categories of ICT industry in the compilation of
ICTSA are as follows:
 ICT manufacturing
 ICT trade
 ICT services
 Content and media
Other industries refer to the other non ICT industries that produce ICT products.
The details of ICT products are listed in the Classification Section. The
main categories of ICT products are as follows:
i. ICT goods
 Computers and peripheral equipment
 Communication equipment
 Consumer electronic equipment
 Miscellaneous ICT components and goods
55
ii. ICT services
 Manufacturing services for ICT equipment
 Business and productivity software and licensing services
 Information technology consultancy and services
 Telecommunications services
 Leasing or rental services for ICT equipment
 Other ICT services
iii. Content and media products

 Printed and other text-based content on physical media, and
related services
 Motion picture, video, television and radio content and related
services
 Music content and related services
 Games software
 On-line content and related services
 Other content and related services
Table 2.8 below lists the areas identified under the ICT Industry which
are mapped to the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections and Divisions.
56
Table 2.8: ICT Satellite Account MSIC 2008 Sections Relevant to the ICT Industry
Description ISIC Rev. 4 ISIC MSIC MSIC

Rev. 2008 2008
4 Section &
Division
1. ICT 1.1 Computers 1.1.1 Manufacture 2620 26201, Section C,
manufacturi and peripheral of computers 26202 Division
ng equipment and 26
peripheral
equipment
1.2 Electronic 1.2.1 Manufacture of 2610 26101, Section C,

components & electronic 26102, Division
boards, components 26103, 26
communicatio and boards 26104,
n equipment 26105,
and consumer 26109
electronics 1.2.2 Manufacture of 2630 26300
communicatio
n equipment
1.2.3 Manufacture of 2640 26400

consumer
electronics
1.2.4 Manufacture of 2680 26800

magnetic and
optical media
2. ICT trade 2.1 Wholesale 2.1.1 Wholesale of 4643 46432, Section G

trade sports goods, 46434 and
games, Division
leather, 46
travelling
goods and
musical
instruments
2.1.2 Wholesale of 4649 46496

other
household
goods n.e.c.
2.1.3 Wholesale of 4651 46510

computers,
computer
peripheral
57
Rev. 2008 2008
4 Section &
Division
equipment
and software
2.1.4 Wholesale of 4652 46521,

electronic and 4651 46522
telecommunic
ations
equipment
and parts
2.1.5 Wholesale of 4659 46593

other
machinery
and
equipment
2.1.6 Wholesale of 4669 46699

waste and
scrap and
other
products
n.e.c.
2.2 Retail trade 2.2.1 Retail sale of 4741 47411, Section G

computers, 47412, and
peripheral 47413 Division
units, 47
software and
telecommuni
cations
equipment in
specialised
stores
2.2.2 Retail sale of 4742 47420

audio and
video
equipment in
specialised
stores
2.2.3 Retail sale of 4759 47597,

electrical 47598
household
appliances,
furniture,
58
Rev. 2008 2008
4 Section &
Division
lighting
equipment
and other
household
articles in
specialised
stores
2.2.4 Retail sale of 4761 47611

books,
newspapers
and
stationary in
specialised
stores
2.2.5 Retail sale of 4762 47620

music and
video
recordings in
specialised
stores
2.2.6 Retail sale of 4764 47640

games and
toys in
specialised
stores
2.2.7 Other retail 4773 47731

sale of new
goods in
specialised
stores
2.2.8 Retail sale of 4774 47742

second-hand
goods
2.2.9 Retail sale 4789 47892,

via stall and 47893,
market of 47894,
other goods 47895
2.2.10 Retail sale via 4791 47911,
59
Rev. 2008 2008
4 Section &
Division
mail order 47912,
houses or via 47913,
Internet 47914
2.2.11 Other retail 4799 47992

sale not in
stores, stalls
or markets
3. ICT 3.1 Telecommunic 3.1.1 Wired 6110 61101, Section J,

services ations telecommuni 61102 Division
cations 61
activities
3.1.2 Wireless 6120 61201, Section J,

telecommuni 61202 Division
cations 61
activities
3.1.3 Satellite 6130 61300 Section J,

telecommuni Division
cations 61
activities
3.1.4 Other 6190 61901,

telecommuni 61902,
cations 61903,
activities 61904,
61905,
61909
3.2 Computer 3.2.1 Computer 6201 62010 Section J,

programming, programming Division
consultancy, activities 62
information
and related 3.2.2 Computer 6202 62021, Section J,
activities consultancy 62022 Division
and computer 62
facilities
management
activities
3.2.3 Other 6209 62091, Section J,

information 62099 Division
60
Rev. 2008 2008
4 Section &
Division
technology 62
and computer
service
activities
3.2.4 Data 6311 63111, Section J,

processing, 63112 Division
hosting and 63
related
activities
3.2.5 Web portals 6312 63120 Section J,

Division
63
3.3 Other ICT 3.3.1 Repair of 3312 33120 Section C,

services machinery Division
33
3.3.2 Repair of 3313 33131, Section C,
electronic 33133 Division
and optical 33
equipment
3.3.3 Repair of 3314 33140 Section C,

electrical Division
equipment 33
3.3.4 Installation 3320 33200 Section C,

of industrial Division
machinery 33
and
equipment
3.3.5 Electrical 4321 43212, Section F,

installation 43213, Division
43214, 43
43216
3.3.6 Plumbing, 4322 43223 Section F,

heat and air- Division
conditioning 43
installation
3.3.7 Publishing of 5820 58201, Section J,

ready-made 58202, Division
(non- 58203 58
61
Rev. 2008 2008
4 Section &
Division
customized)
software
3.3.8 Research and 7210 72106 Section M,

experimental Division
development 72
on natural
sciences and
engineering
3.3.9 Other 7490 74903 Section M,

professional, Division
scientific and 74
technical
activities
n.e.c.
3.3.10 Security 8020 80200 Section M,

systems Division
service 80
activities
3.3.11 General 8411 84111, Section O,

public admin 84112 Division
activities 84
3.3.12 Repair of 9511 95111, Section S,

computers 95112, Division
and 95113 95
peripheral
equipment

communicati 95122, Division
on equipment 95123, 95
95124,
95125,
95126,
95127
consumer 95212, Division
electronics 95213, 95
95214
3.3.15 Repair of 9522 95221 Section S,
household Division
appliances 95
62
Rev. 2008 2008
4 Section &
Division
and home
and garden
equipment
4. Content and 4.1 Publishing 4.1.1 Publishing of 1811, 18110, Section J,

media of books, books, 1812, 18120, Division
periodicals periodicals 1820, 18200, 58
and other and other 5811, 58110,
publishing publishing 5812, 58120,
activities activities 5813, 58130,
5819, 58190,
8219 82196,
82199
4.2 Motion 4.2.1 Motion 5911, 59110, Section J,

picture, picture, video 5912, 59120, Division
video and and 5913, 59130, 59
television television 5914, 59140,
programm programme 7410, 74102,
e activities activities 7420, 74200,
9000 90009
4.3 Other 4.3.1 Sound 5920 59200 Section J,

content recording Division
and media and music 59
publishing
activities
4.3.2 Programming 6010, 60100, Section J,

and 6020 60200 Division
broadcasting 60
activities
4.3.3 Other 6391, 63910, Section J,

information 6399, 63990, Division
service 8220, 82200, 63
activities 9329 93297
63
Table 2.8 has been analysed and a column of relevant MSIC 2008 Section and
Division has been added to identify them. Therefore, based on this table, the MSIC
2008 Sections and Division related to the ICT SA 2019 clusters are MSIC 2008 Section
C, J, F, G, M, S, O. The related MSIC 2008 Sections will be further confirmed via the
research and presented in Chapter 4 of this report.
e) The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was designed by the United Nations
Development programme in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure
prosperity for all. There are 17 goals where the SDG that are relevant to the
Digital technology Industry is Goal 9 which is to „Build Resilient Infrastructure,
Promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation and Foster Innovation in
which highly related to Malaysia digital economy for sustainable economic
growth.
The targets under SDG 9 focus on:

 Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities
of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing
countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and
substantially increasing the number of research and development
workers per one million people and public and private research
and development spending; and
 Significantly increase access to information and communications
technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access
to the internet at least developed countries by 2020.
f) LINKEDIN 2020 Emerging Occupations Report Malaysia
LinkedIn has crunched its unique dataset to establish the fastest growing
occupations in the talent market. Big data dominates Malaysia‟s emerging
occupations. Data scientist is again the top emerging occupation, while data
engineer is in the top five and data analyst comes in at 12. This reflects the
64
government‟s commitment to secure Malaysia as a leader in big data. Initiatives
include plans to increase the number of data scientists from 100 to 1,500, while
boosting the number of those dealing with data from about 4,000 to 16,000, by
2020. E-commerce is fuelling demand for hard and soft skilled talent. Malaysia‟s
internet economy has grown some 21 percent since 2015, to be worth US$11
billion, according to the e-Economy SEA 2019 report by Google, Temasek and
Bain & Company. A significant factor in that growth has been the surge in e-
commerce, which has tripled in size to be worth US$3 billion. Online platforms
need technical talent to build apps and online sales portals, including the likes of
Android developers, full stack engineers and DevOps engineers. But they also
need people who are able to harness the platforms and engage online customers,
such as digital marketing specialists, digital specialists, content writers and even
community managers if they want to build a brand community. Top 10
Emerging Occupations include:
 Data Scientist
 Full Stack Engineer
 Data Engineer
 Cyber Security Specialist
 Digital Marketing Specialist
 DevOps Engineer
This projection is strongly supported by a number of publications such as

by LinkedIn in 2019 which highlighted 5 top emerging occupations (Data
Scientist, Full Stack Engineer, Test Drive Engineer, UX Engineer and Content
Writer) in Malaysia. These occupations are related to digital technology. The
same report also mentioned that there is an increase of demand for digital talents
within the traditional sectors like Agriculture, Manufacturing and Finance in
recent years.
65
2.7 MSIC 2008 Codes under Section J (Information and Communication)
Currently, the MSIC 2008 Section that is related to ICT is MSIC 2008 Section J;
however, the outcome of this research will identify which of these MSIC 2008 Section J
Divisions will actually be relevant to the Digital Technology Industry Occupational
Framework. The main divisions of Section J are publishing activities (Division 58),
including software publishing, motion picture and sound recording activities (Division
59), radio and TV broadcasting and programming activities (Division 60),
telecommunications activities (Division 61) and information technology activities
(Division 62) and other information service activities (Division 63). Table 2.9 – Table
2.20 below are excerpts taken from MSIC 2008.
Table 2.9: Summary of MSIC 2008 by Section, Division and Group (Section J
Information and Communication, Division 58, Group 581, 582)
(Source: MSIC 2008)
SECTION: J Information and Communication

DIVISION: 58 Publishing Activities
GROUP: 581 Publishing of books, periodicals and other publishing
activities
582 Software Publishing
Table 2.10: Description of MSIC 2008 by Section, Division, Group, Class and Item
(Section J Information and Communication, Division 58, Group 581, 582)
(Source: MSIC 2008)

GROUP: 581 Publishing of books, periodicals and other publishing
activities
CLASS: 5811(1) Book publishing
5812 Publishing of directories and mailing lists
5813 Publishing of newspapers, journals and periodicals
5819(1) Other publishing activities
ITEM: 58110 Publishing of books, brochures and other publications(2)
58120 Publishing of mailing lists, telephone book, other
directories(3)
58130 Publishing of newspapers, journals, magazines and
periodicals in print or electronic form (4)
66
58190 Publishing of catalogues, photos, engraving and
postcards, greeting cards, forms, posters, reproduction
of works of art, advertising material and other printed
matter n.e.c
(1) Includes: the activities of publishing books in print, electronic (CD, electronic
displays, etc.) or audio form or on the Internet
Excludes: (a) production of globes, see 32909 (b) publishing of advertising material,
see 58190 (c) publishing of music and sheet books, see 59200 (d) activities of
independent authors, see 90004
(2) Includes: (a) publishing of leaflets and similar publications, including publishing
of dictionaries and encyclopaedias (b) publishing of atlases, maps and charts (c)
publishing of audio books (d) publishing of encyclopaedias, etc. on CD-ROM (e)
on-line publishing of books, etc.
(3) Includes: on-line publishing of directories and mailing lists
(4) Includes: (a) on the Internet and publishing of radio and television schedules (b)
publishing of advertising newspapers (c) on-line publishing of newspapers, etc.
Includes: on-line publishing of other information (greeting cards, statistics, etc.),
database publishing
Excludes: (a) retail sale of software, see 4741 (b) publishing of advertising
newspapers, see 58130 (c) on-line provision of software (application hosting and
application service provisioning), see 63111

GROUP: 582 Software Publishing
CLASS: 5820(1) Publishing of ready-made (non-customized) software
ITEM: 58201 Business and other applications
58202 Computer games for all platforms(2)
58203 Operating systems
(1) Includes: on-line software publishing
Excludes: (a) reproduction of software, see 18200 (b) retail sale of non-customized
software, see 47412 (c) production of software not associated with publishing, see
62010 (d) on-line provision of software (application hosting and application service
provisioning), see 63111
(2) Includes: publishing of software for video game consoles
(Source: MSIC 2008)

DIVISION: 59 Motion Picture, Video And Television Programme
Production, Sound Recording And Music Publishing
Activities
67
GROUP: 591 Motion picture, video and television programme activities
592 Sound recording and music publishing activities
(Source: MSIC 2008)

Production, Sound Recording And Music Publishing
Activities
GROUP: 591 Motion picture, video and television programme activities
CLASS: 5911(1) Motion picture, video and television programme
production activities
5912(1) Motion picture, video and television programme post-
production activities
5913(1) Motion picture, video and television programme
distribution activities
5914 Motion picture projection activities
ITEM: 59110 Motion picture, video and television programme
production activities(2)
59120 Motion picture, video and television programme
postproduction activities(2)
59130 Motion picture, video and television programme
distribution activities(2)
59140 Motion picture projection activities(3)
(1) Excludes: (a) film duplicating (except reproduction of motion picture film for
theatrical distribution) as well as reproduction of audio and video tape, CDS or
DVDS reproduction from master copies, see 18200 (b) wholesale of recorded video
tapes, CDs, DVDs, see 46496 (c) wholesale of blank video tapes, CDs, see 46496
(d) retail trade of video tapes, CDs, DVDs, see 47622 (e) post-production activities,
see 59120 (f) reproduction of motion picture film for theatrical distribution, see
59120 (g) sound recording and recording of books on tape, see 59200 (h) creating a
complete television channel programme, see 6020 (i) television broadcasting, see
6020 (j) film processing other than for the motion picture industry, see 74200 (k)
activities of personal theatrical or artistic agents or agencies, see 74909 (l) renting
of video tapes, DVDs to the general public, see 77220 (m) real-time (i.e.
simultaneous) closed captioning of live television performances of meetings,
conferences, etc., see 82990 (n) activities of own account actors, cartoonists,
directors, stage designers and technical specialists, see 9000
(2) Includes: (a) production of commercial messages for radio, television and film
(b) production of television programmes (c) commercials not done in broadcasting
facilities and activities of stock footage film libraries, etc.
theatrical distribution) as well as reproduction of audio and video tape, CDs or DVDs
reproduction from master copies, see 18200 (b) wholesale of recorded video tapes,
68
CDs, DVDs, see 46496 (c) wholesale of blank video tapes, CDs, see 46496 (d)
retail trade of video tapes, CDs, DVDs, see 47620 (e) film processing other than for
the motion picture industry, see 74200 (f) renting of video tapes, DVDs to the
general public, see 77220 (g) activities of own account actors, cartoonists, directors,
stage designers and technical specialists, see 9000
(2) Includes: activities such as editing, film/tape transfers, titling, subtitling, credits,
closed captioning, computer-produced graphics, animation and special effects,
developing and processing motion picture film, activities of motion picture film
laboratories, activities of special laboratories for animated films
theatrical distribution) as well as reproduction of audio and video tapes, CDs or
DVDs reproduction from master copies, see 18200 (b) reproduction of motion
picture film for theatrical distribution, see 59120
(2) Includes: (a) activities of acquiring distribution rights and distributing film, video
tapes, DVDs and similar productions to motion picture theatres, television networks
and stations, and exhibitors (b) acquiring film, video tape and DVD distribution
rights
(3) Includes: the motion picture or video tape projection in cinemas, in the open air
or in other projection facilities and cine-clubs

GROUP: 592 Production,
Sound Sound
recording Recording
and And Music
music publishing Publishing
activities
CLASS: 5920(1) Activities
Sound recording and music publishing activities
ITEM: 59200 Sound recording and music publishing activities
(1) Includes: (a) production of original (sound) master recordings, such as tapes, CDs
(b) sound recording service activities in a studio or elsewhere, including the
production of taped (i.e. non-live) radio programming, audio for film, television, etc.
(c) music publishing, i.e. activities of acquiring and registering copyrights for musical
compositions; promoting, authorizing and using these compositions in recordings,
radio, television, motion pictures, live performances, print and other media;
distributing sound recordings to wholesalers, retailers or directly to the public (d)
on-line music publishing (e) sound-recording activities (f) production of taped (e.g.
non-live) radio programming
(Source: MSIC 2008)

DIVISION: 60 Programming and Broadcasting Activities
GROUP: 601 Radio broadcasting
602 Television programming and broadcasting activities
69
(Source: MSIC 2008)

GROUP: 601 Radio broadcasting
CLASS: 6010(1) Radio broadcasting
ITEM: 60100 Radio broadcasting
(1) Includes: (a) broadcasting audio signals through radio broadcasting studios and
facilities for the transmission of aural programming to the public, to affiliates or to
subscribers (b) activities of radio networks, i.e. assembling and transmitting aural
programming to the affiliates or subscribers via over-the-air broadcasts, cable or
satellite (c) radio broadcasting activities over the Internet (Internet radio stations)
(d) data broadcasting integrated with radio broadcasting
Excludes: production of taped radio programming, see class 5920

GROUP: 602 Television programming and broadcasting activities
CLASS: 6020(1) Television programming and broadcasting activities
ITEM: 60200 Television programming and broadcasting activities
(1) Includes: (a) creation of a complete television channel programme, from
purchased programme components (e.g. movies, documentaries, etc.), self-produced
programme components (e.g. local news, live reports) or a combination thereof (b)
programming of video-on-demand channels (c) data broadcasting integrated with
television broadcasting (d) Internet TV broadcasting
Excludes: (a) production of television programme elements (e.g. movies,
documentaries, commercials), see class 59110 (b) assembly of a package of
channels and distribution of that package via cable or satellite to viewers, see division
61
Information and Communication, Division 61, Group 611, 612, 613, 619)
(Source: MSIC 2008)

DIVISION: 61 Telecommunications
GROUP: 611 Wired telecommunications activities
612 Wireless telecommunications activities
613 Satellite telecommunications activities
619 Other telecommunications activities
70
(Section J Information and Communication, Division 61, Group 611, 612, 613, 619)
(Source: MSIC 2008)

GROUP: 611 Wired Telecommunications Activities
CLASS: 6110(1) Wired telecommunications activities
ITEM: 61101 Wired telecommunications services
61102 Internet access providers by the operator of the wired
infrastructure
(1) Includes: (a) operating, maintaining or providing access to facilities for the
transmission of voice, data, text, sound and video using a wired telecommunications
infrastructure, including operating and maintaining switching and transmission
facilities to provide point-to point communications via landlines, microwave or a
combination of landlines and satellite linkups; operating of cable distribution systems
(e.g. for distribution of data and television signals); furnishing telegraph and other
non-vocal communications using own facilities (b) purchasing access and network
capacity from owners and operators of networks and providing telecommunications
services using this capacity to businesses and households (c) provision of Internet
access by the operator of the wired infrastructure
Excludes: telecommunications resellers, see 61903

GROUP: 612 Wireless telecommunications activities
CLASS 6120(1) Wireless telecommunications
ITEM: 61201 Wireless telecommunications services activities
61202 Internet access providers by the operator of the wireless
infrastructure
(1) Includes: (a) operating, maintaining or providing access to facilities for the
transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video using a wireless
telecommunications infrastructure (b) maintaining and operating paging as well as
cellular and other wireless telecommunications networks (c) purchasing access and
network capacity from owners and operators of networks and providing wireless
telecommunications services (except satellite) using this capacity to businesses and
households (d) provision of Internet access by the operator of the wireless
infrastructure

GROUP: 613 Satellite telecommunications activities
CLASS: 6130 (1) Satellite telecommunications activities
ITEM: 61300 Satellite telecommunications services
71
1) Includes: (a) operating, maintaining or providing access to facilities for the
transmission of voice, data, text, sound and video using a satellite
telecommunications infrastructure (b) delivery of visual, aural or textual
programming received from cable networks, local television stations or radio
networks to consumers via direct-to-home satellite systems (the units classified here
do not generally originate programming material) (c) provision of Internet access by
the operator of the satellite infrastructure

GROUP: 619 Other telecommunications activities
CLASS: 6190(1) Other telecommunications activities
ITEM: 61901 Provision of Internet access over networks between the
client and the ISP not owned or controlled by the ISP .
61902 Provision of telecommunications services over existing
telecom connection
61903 Telecommunications resellers
61904 Provision of telecommunications services over existing
telecom connections VOIP (Voice Over Internet
Protocol) provision
61905 Provision of specialized telecommunications
applications (2)
61909 Other telecommunications activities n.e.c
(1) Includes: (a) operation of satellite terminal stations and associated facilities
operationally connected with one or more terrestrial communications systems and
capable of transmitting telecommunications to or receiving telecommunications from
satellite systems (b) provision of Internet access over networks between the client
and the ISP not owned or controlled by the ISP (e.g. dial-up Internet access, etc.) (c)
provision of telephone and Internet access in facilities open to the public (d)
telecommunications resellers (e.g. purchasing and reselling network capacity without
providing additional services)
Excludes: provision of Internet access by operators of telecommunications

infrastructure, see 6110, 6120, 6130
(2) Includes: satellite tracking, communications telemetry and radar station operations
72
Table 2.17: Summary of MSIC 2008 by Section, Division and
Group (Section J Information and Communication, Division 62,
Group 620)

DIVISION: 62 Computer Programming, Consultancy and Related
Activities
GROUP: 620 Computer programming, consultancy and related
activities
(Section J Information and Communication, Division 62, Group 620)
(Source: MSIC 2008)

Activities
activities
CLASS: 6201(1) Computer programming activities
ITEM: 62010 Computer programming activities (2)
6202 (3) Computer consultancy and computer facilities
management activities
62021 Computer consultancy (4)
(1) Includes: (a) designing the structure and content of and/or writing the computer
code necessary to create and implement such as systems software (including updates
and patches), software applications (including updates and patches), databases and
web pages (b) customizing of software (e.g. modifying and configuring an existing
application so that it is functional within the clients' information system environment)
Excludes: (a) publishing packaged software, see 5820 (b) planning and designing
computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software and communication
technologies, even though providing software might be an integral part, see 62021
(2) Includes: (a) activities of writing, modifying, testing, and supporting software to
meet the needs of a particular client (customize computer programming) (b)
production of software not associated with publishing (c) writing of software for
video game consoles (d) design and programming of web pages
(3) Excludes: (a) separate sale of computer hardware or software, see 46510, 4741
(b) separate installation of mainframe and similar computers, see 33200 (c) separate
installation (setting-up) of personal computers, see 62099 (d) separate software
installation, see 62099
(4) Includes: (a) planning and designing of computer systems that integrate computer
73
hardware, software and communication technologies (b) software design or
consultancy as part of designing a complete computer system solution for a user

Activities
activities
CLASS: 6209(2) Other information technology and computer service
activities
ITEM: 62022 Computer facilities management activities (1)
62091 Information Communication Technology (ICT) system
security 72900p 62099 Other information technology
service activities n.e.c. (3)
(1) Includes: provision of on site management and operation of a client‟s computer
systems and/or data processing facilities, as well as related support services (2)
Excludes: (a) installation of mainframe and similar computers, see 33200 (b)
computer programming, see 62010 (c) computer consultancy, see 62021 (d)
computer facilities management, see 62022 (e) data processing and hosting, see 6311
(3) Includes: (a) computer disaster recovery (b) installation (setting-up) of personal
computers (c) software installation
(Source: MSIC 2008)

DIVISION: 63 Information Service Activities
GROUP: 631 Data processing, hosting and related activities; web
portals
639 Other information service activities
(Source: MSIC 2008)

GROUP: 631 Data processing, hosting and related activities; web
portals
CLASS: 6311 Data processing, hosting and related activities
6312 Web portals
74
ITEM: 63111 Activities of providing infrastructure for hosting, data
processing services and related activities
63112 Data processing activities (2)
63120 Web portals (3)
(1) Includes: web hosting, streaming services or application hosting, application
service provisioning, general time-share mainframe facilities to clients
(2) Includes: complete processing and specialized reports from data supplied by
clients or providing automated data processing and data entry services
(3) Includes: operation of web sites that use a search engine to generate and maintain
extensive databases of Internet addresses and content in an easily searchable format.
Operation of other websites that act as portals to the Internet, such as media sites
providing periodically updated content.

GROUP: 639 Other information service activities
CLASS: 6391(1) News agency activities
6399(2) Other information service activities n.e.c.
ITEM: 63910 News syndicate and news agency activities
63990 Other information service activities n.e.c.
(1) Includes: news syndicate and news agency activities furnishing news, pictures and
features to the media (e.g. Bernama)
Excludes: (a) activities of independent and photojournalists, see 74200 (b)
activities of independent journalists, see 90005 (c) activities of libraries and archives,
see 9101
(2) Includes: (a) telephone based information services (b) information search services
on a contract or fee basis (c) news clipping services, press clipping services, etc.
Excludes: activities of call centres, see 82200
2.8 Industry and Market Intelligence
This section highlights information regarding the Digital technology Industry in terms
of its economic impact to Malaysia, workforce statistics and current technological
advancements and global trends that may influence the demands of the industry in the
near future.
As the Covid 19 pandemic continues to change the economic landscape,

business models are continuously reinvented, causing shifts in job trends. Due to the
increasing need of virtual communication and technology advancements in order to
75
lessen physical contact and increase productivity of work processes, this has encouraged
the use of technology in cross-sectorial businesses. Making digital technology as one of
the integral enablers of the current economic landscape.
2.8.1 Employment Statistics
The information in regards to employment statistics in the Department of Statistics

Malaysia website was derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which was
conducted to collect information on the structure and distribution of labour force,
employment and unemployment. Concepts and definitions used in LFS are based on the
standard guidelines of the International Labour Organizations (ILO) through “Manual
on Concepts and Methods: Surveys of Economically Active Population, Employment,
Unemployment and Underemployment” (DOSM, 2020).
The location of the LFS covers both urban and rural areas of all states in
Malaysia and includes the economically active and inactive population (DOSM, 2020).
The economically active population comprises of those employed and unemployed
whereas those who are inactive is classified as outside the labour force. LFS uses the
actual status approach, where a person is classified on the basis of his labour
force activity during the reference week (DOSM, 2020). Labour force refers to those
who, during the reference week are aged between 15 to 64 years (in completed years at
last birthday) and who are either employed or unemployed (DOSM, 2020).
The term „Employed‟ in these statistics refer to all persons who, at any time
during the reference week worked at least one hour for pay, profit or family gain (as an
employer, employee, own-account worker or unpaid family worker) (DOSM, 2020).
Also considered as employed are persons who did not work during the reference week
because of illness, injury, bad weather, leave, labour dispute and social or religious
reasons but had a job, farm, enterprise or other family enterprise to return to (DOSM,
2020).. Also included are those on temporary lay-off with pay who would definitely be
called back to work. Whereas, the term „Unemployed‟ refers to those who do not have a
job but are interested to work (DOSM, 2020). There are two groups of unemployed that
is the actively unemployed and inactively unemployed. All persons not classified as
76
employed or unemployed as stated above are classified as outside labour force. This
includes housewives, students (including those going for further studies), retired,
disabled persons and those not interested in looking for a job (DOSM, 2020).
The term „Labour force participation rate‟ is defined as the ratio of the labour
force to the working age population (15 to 64 years), expressed as percentage (DOSM,
2020). Whereas, „Unemployment rate‟ is the proportion of unemployed population to
the total population in labour force (DOSM, 2020). This rate measures the percentage
of unemployed population to the labour force. Due to the Covid 19 epidemic,
employment statistics have changed drastically in the year 2020 (DOSM, 2020). The
country had undergone seven months of Movement Control Order (MCO) to contain the
spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Since 10 June 2020, the Recovery MCO allowed more
economic sectors to operate although businesses were not operating at optimum level.
In the meantime, various stimulus packages provided by the Government were provided
to cushion the negative impact of the pandemic to the economy including labour market.
The positive month-on-month growth in employment since June 2020 and declining
unemployment rate reflected an improvement even throughout these tough times
(DOSM, 2020).
The sections below elaborate the employment statistics in the third quarter of the
year 2020.
a) Labour Force Participation
The labour force participation rate stayed at 68.4 per cent in September 2020
after recording an increase of 0.3 percentage points in the previous month
(DOSM, 2020). The number of labour force increased to 15.93 million
persons in comparison to August 2020 which was 15.90 million persons
(DOSM, 2020).
77
b) Employed persons
Most economic sectors saw an increase in employed persons since June 2020
as the first month of RMCO took effect. The significant increase was in
the Services sector mainly in accommodation, food & beverages and transport
& storage activities (DOSM, 2020). There was also slight increase in art,
entertainment & recreational activities (DOSM, 2020). In terms of status in
employment, own-account workers decreased month-on-month to 2.38 million
persons in July 2020. They were the most affected group due to COVID-19
pandemic (DOSM, 2020).
Employment-to-population ratio increased to 64.9 per cent in July 2020

from 64.7 per cent in the previous month, indicating the ability of an economy
to create employment (DOSM, 2020). However Figure 2.11 shows that in
September 2020, employment continued to grow at a slower pace of 0.3 per
cent (August 2020: 0.5%) to 15.19 million persons (DOSM,
2020). Meanwhile, year-on-year, the number of employed persons were still
declining and posted negative 0.2 per cent in comparison to last year in
September 2019 which was 15.23 million persons. During the month of
September, the employment-to-population ratio (which indicates the ability of
an economy to create employment) remained at 65.2 per cent (DOSM,
2020). In terms of year-on-year, employment-to-population ratio dropped by
1.3 percentage points from 66.5 per cent.
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Figure 2 11: Employed Persons And Employment-To-Population Ratio, January 2018
– September 2020
In terms of status of employment, Figure 2.12 shows that the

employee‟s category rose by 14.9 thousand persons to record 11.73 million
persons as against the previous month. Own-account workers continued to
increase by 0.7 per cent to register 2.43 million persons (August 2020: 2.42
million persons). The positive growth of own-account workers may be
reflected by the various government initiatives to boost up the businesses.
Figure 2.12: Employed Person By Status In Employment, August and September

2020 (Source: DOSM, 2020)
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c) Unemployment rate
Figure 2.13 shows that the unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percentage points to
4.6 per cent in September 2020 as opposed to August 2020. The number
of unemployed persons declined by 0.6 per cent to record 737.5 thousand
persons in comparison to August 2020 with 741.6 thousand persons. In terms of
year-on-year, the unemployment rate for September 2020 increased 1.3
percentage as compared to the same month of the preceding year with the
number of unemployed persons registering an increase of 216.1 thousand
persons (September 2019: 521.4 thousand persons).
Figure 2.13: Unemployed Persons and Unemployment Rate, 1982 - 2019 and January
- September 2020
d) Outside Labour Force
More than 45 per cent of outside labour force was due to family responsibility
especially during the MCO where children were not allowed to go to public
places such as schools and nurseries. In September 2020, the number of
persons outside the labour force increased slightly by 8.3 thousand persons to
record 7.36 million persons as against August 2020. Meanwhile, year-on-
year, outside labour force rose by 2.8 per cent (+200.0 thousand persons) as
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compared to September 2019. Figure 2.14 shows that family responsibility
contributed 45.1 per cent followed by schooling/ training with 40.2 per cent.
Figure 2.14: Share of Outside Labour Force By Reasons For Not Seeking Work,
August and September 2020
e) Labour Force
Figure 2.15 shows that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained
at 68.4 per cent in September 2020 after recording an increase of 0.3
percentage points in the previous month (DOSM, 2020). During the month, the
number of labour force increased by 35.5 thousand persons month-on-month to
15.93 million persons in comparison to August 2020 with 15.90 million
persons. In comparison to the same month of the previous year, the number
of labour force increased to 15.75 million persons while the LFPR declined by
0.3 percentage points (September 2019: 68.7%).
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Figure 2.15: Labour Force and LFPR, 1982 - 2019 and January - September 2020
f) Labour Productivity
In the second quarter of 2020, Malaysia‟s labour productivity measured

by value added per hour worked increased marginally by 0.1 per cent (Q2
2020: 15.5%). During this quarter, the Gross Domestic Product decreased at a
slower rate of 2.7 per cent from the second quarter of 20202 which was -17.1%
(DOSM, 2020). Similarly, total hours worked in this quarter posted
negative 2.7 per cent from negative 28.2 per cent in the second quarter.
In the third quarter of 2020, labour productivity expressed in terms

of value added per employment recorded a smaller negative of 2.2 per cent as
compared to negative 16.0 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 while
employment declined 0.4 per cent from the second quarter of 2020 to -1.3%
(DOSM, 2020).
Labour productivity by value added per hour worked in the third quarter
of 2020 amounted to RM41 per hour where in the second quarter of 2020 it
was RM46 per hour. The value added per employment was RM23, 248 per
person in comparison to the second quarter of 2020 which was RM19, 446 per
person (DOSM, 2020). During the second quarter, hours worked decreased
further to 28.2 per cent. Labour productivity expressed in terms of value
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added per employment dropped 16.0 per cent in the third quarter from negative
0.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2020 as employment declined 1.3 per cent
(Q1 2020: 1.6%) (DOSM, 2020).
Labour productivity by hours worked for Services sector plunged 1.4

per cent in the third quarter of 2020. With the value added of this sector
remained subdued at negative 4.0 per cent (Second quarter of 2020: -16.2%)
while hours worked declined 2.7 per cent (Second quarter of 2020: -28.5%).
During this quarter, Finance and insurance registered the highest growth of
labour productivity by hours worked with a growth of 7.6 per cent (DOSM,
2020). This was followed by Information and Communication (1.8%) and
Wholesale and retail trade (0.3%) (DOSM, 2020). Meanwhile, labour
productivity expressed as the ratio of value added to employment decreased 3.9
per cent (Second quarter of 2020: -15.7%) while employment declined
marginally 0.1 per cent (Second quarter of 2020: -0.6%) (DOSM, 2020)Figure
2.16 shows that value added per hour worked for this sector in the third quarter
of 2020 was RM38 per hour which saw a decline from the second quarter of
2020 which was RM44 per hour. While value added per employment was
RM21, 749 per person which is an increase from the second quarter of
2020which were RM18, 413 per person (DOSM, 2020). Figure 2.16 shows the
graphical representation of the statistics discussed above.
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Figure 2.16: Labour Productivity in the Third Quarter of 2020
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2.8.2 Economic Indicators
Figure 2.17 shows a total revenue of the Services sector in the third quarter of 2020
recorded RM428.3 billion which was an increase off 27.6 per cent as compared to the
second quarter of 2020. The growth was contributed by Wholesale & Retail Trade,
Food & Beverages and Accommodation segment. Meanwhile, total revenue on annual
comparison contracted by 4.8 per cent in the third quarter, which was an improvement
from 24.0 per cent decline in the previous quarter (DOSM, 2020).
Total number of persons engaged in this sector amounted to 3.7 million persons,
an increase of 40,118 persons or 1.1 per cent as compared to the second quarter 2020.
However, year-on-year comparison the number of persons engaged recorded a negative
growth of 2.1 per cent or decreased 77,526 persons. In this quarter, salaries & wages
paid amounted RM24.7 billion, an increase of 5.0 per cent as against the previous
quarter, while year-on-year it went down 2.5 per cent (DOSM, 2020).
85
Figure 2.17: Performance of Services Sector for the Third Quarter of 2020
86
2.9 Examples of ICT/Digital Technology Frameworks in Other Countries
All frameworks share a common theme: they describe the specialist and technical skills
required in IT-related roles and can be used and understood by IT users and companies,
the public sector, educational and social partners.
The skills framework provides a tool for:
 Academic Institutions: to enable effective planning and design of IT

curricula
 IT practitioners and managers: to have clear guidelines for demonstrated
competence and to assist in identifying on-going professional
development needs
 Human Resources: to have access to a common reference framework to
assist in job standardization, resource allocation and the definition of
professional development programs.
a) Singapore
The Skills Framework (SFw) is a SkillsFuture initiative developed for the

Singapore workforce is an integral component of the Professional Services
Industry Manpower Plan. Jointly developed by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG),
Workforce Singapore (WSG), and the Info communication Media
Development Authority (IMDA), together with industry associations,
education institutions, training providers, organisations and unions, the Skills
Framework for Infocomm Technology provides information on Sector
information; Career pathways; Occupations and job roles; Existing and
emerging skills; and Training programmes for skills upgrading and mastery.
The Skills Framework (SFw) for Infocomm Technology contains

information on trends, career pathways, occupations, job roles, skills and
competencies and training programme related to Information and
Communication Technology. The SFw for Infocomm Technology was
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refreshed in December 2019 to be in line with developments in Artificial
Intelligence, 5G, Internet of Things and Cyber security. The Career Pathways
show the possible options for vertical and lateral progression for advancement
and growth. It consists of seven (7) tracks which include:
i. Cyber Security
ii. Operations and Support,
iii. Infrastructure
iv. Data and Artificial Intelligence
v. Strategy and Governance
vi. Software and Applications
vii. Sales and Marketing
The Skills Maps cover a total of 104 job roles, critical work functions,
key tasks and skills and competencies aligned to the seven tracks.
b) European Union
The European e-Competence Framework (e-CF) is a European wide reference

framework of information and communication technologies (ICT) competences
that can be used and understood by ICT professionals and human resources
managers from ICT user and supply companies, small and medium sized
enterprises, the public sector, as well as educational and social partners across
the European Union. The framework has been developed by a large number of
European ICT and human resources (HR) experts on ICT Skills. The goal of the
workshop is to provide a consensus building platform for both national and
international representatives from all stakeholders. It aims to foster the
development of long-term human resources and competence development
solutions for the European ICT community.
The European e-Competence Framework is structured from four

dimensions. These dimensions reflect different levels of business and human
88
resource planning requirements in addition to job/ work proficiency guidelines
and are specified as follows:
 Dimension 1: 5 e-Competence areas, derived from the ICT business
processes.
 Dimension 2: A set of reference e-Competences for each area, with a
generic description for each competence. 32 competences identified
in total provide the European generic reference definitions of the
framework.
 Dimension 3: Proficiency levels of each e-Competence provide
European reference level specifications on e-Competence levels e-1
to e-5, which are related to the EQF levels 3 to 8.
 Dimension 4: Knowledge and skills related to the e-Competences are
indicated as optional framework components for inspiration. They
are not intended to be exhaustive.
The European ICT Professional Role Profiles make a key contribution to

increasing transparency and convergence of the European ICT Skills landscape
30 ICT Professional Role Profiles provide a generic set of typical roles
performed by ICT Professionals in any organisation, covering the full ICT
business process. Complementary to the e-CF, the European ICT Professional
Role Profiles contribute to a shared European reference language for developing,
planning and managing ICT Professional needs in a long-term perspective and to
maturing the ICT Profession as a whole. The profiles are a flexible tool for ICT
professional development and profile construction. They are not intended to
represent a rigid standard. The role profiles were built as a foundation and
inspiration, from an organisational viewpoint, for the flexible creation of more
context-specific profiles in a broad variety of areas (e.g. job profiles, curriculum
design.
The function of European ICT Professional Role Profiles is to offer users

structure and clarity for designing or identifying and clustering the multitude of
activities that are essential to support the digital strategy of an organisation.
They are less detailed and less specific than job descriptions and offer a simple
89
but flexible start point. They also represent a European multi-stakeholder shared
perspective and provide a common reference language and communication tool
to support mutual understanding e.g. both between countries and stakeholders
but also within organisations such as between HR and ICT departments.
Although the profiles are focused upon ICT professional competence and
performance the ultimate objective is to influence the ability of organisations to
leverage ICT for better performance.
Figure 2.18: European ICT Profile of ICT Professionals

(Source: European e-Competence Framework, 2018)
90
2.10 Digital Technology Industry Issues and Challenges
Currently there is no consensus on the effect of digital technologies and digitalisation on

the redistribution of employment between sectors and workers. Thus is the need for the
research for the Digital Technology Industry in Malaysia which aims to identify the
industries that are relevant to occupations in the Digital Technology Industry.
2.10.1 Industry Revolution 4.0
The Industry Revolution 4.0 (the term was coined by German economist Klaus Schwab
in 2015) has had a major impact on the nature of jobs in the Digital Technology
Industry. Industry Revolution 4.0 includes the emergence of the Digital Economy and
use of automation and data exchange in industrial technologies. Spottl (2016), who has
conducted various research on the role of Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) in training workers for the requirements of Industry Revolution 4.0
(IR 4.0), describes Industry 4.0 as a convergence of technologies that cut across the
physical, digital, and biological spheres. IR 4.0 is also known as the Fourth Industrial
Revolution which is characterised as a technological revolution which builds upon the
Third Industrial Revolution that applied electronics and information technology to
automate production (Spottl, 2016) by enhancing connectivity, applying data analytics,
enabling system integration and customisation. Emerging technologies have also been
more widely used in line with IR 4.0 in various working environments such as in
manufacturing, retail and services among others. Examples of these technologies are
such as Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Big Data
Analytics, 3D Printing and Advanced Robotics. While other 4.0 related technologies
have already been inherent in the Digital Technology Industry such as System
Integration, Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence.
In terms of job scope, IR 4.0 has impacted how workers are expected to
perform (Spottl, 2015), thus advancing the level of competency required for a worker
doing routine and repetitive jobs to be competent in handling automation of work
processes and digitisation of data. In turn, the Occupational Structure (OS) for jobs in
the Digital Technology Industry should reflect IR 4.0 but not limited to using the term
91
IR 4.0 as the research acknowledges that they will be technological advancements in the
near future, thus opting to use more generic terms such as Industrial ICT. This term is
deemed suitable as research by Moldovan (2019) proposed that jobs carried out by ICT
specialists in industrial settings are to be known as Industrial ICT specialists.
2.10.2 The Gig Economy
According to various definitions of the Gig economy, it is where flexible and temporary
jobs are offered by companies where they hire independent contractors and freelancers
instead of full time employees. The emergence of platform-intermediated work has
caused individuals preferring to supply services online, or to complement their main
income. However, platform work simultaneously increases the share of non-standard
work in total employment (OECD, 2016b). Moreover, “by breaking down occupations
into “tasks”, platforms facilitate new ways of commodifying labour, and selling it “on
demand” to businesses looking to outsource some aspects of their workload at a lower
cost” (ILO, 2018). One of the most high-profile challenges when considering measures
of the number of occupations in the Digital Economy relates to tasks transacted through
online platforms (“platform work”). The first difficulty when quantifying platforms‟
contribution to employment is the growing diversity of their business models: indeed,
platforms “”include both web-based platforms, where work is outsourced through an
open call to a geographically dispersed crowd (“crowdwork”), and location-based
applications which allocate work to individuals in a specific geographical area” (ILO,
2018).
Currently, ICT task-intensive occupations are widely permeated throughout the

economy. There is evidence that existing occupations are being changed or even
displaced by digital technologies. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) robots, and
other technologies may influence tasks previously performed by humans. While
assessments of the likelihood of automation vary, as do estimates of the number of
occupations that may be impacted, policies are needed that prepare workers for
technology-driven changes. The gig economy has its downsides, such as the job security
and benefits enjoyed by permanent employees such as employment provident fund,
worker insurance and medical benefits.
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2.10.3 The Global Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020
Due to the Movement Control Order imposed in early 2020, the Digital Technology
Industry has become integral, especially in terms of offering digitally delivered services,
such as the conversion of catering services into food delivery services, travel agents
offering virtual tours, entertainment industry practitioners using online platforms to
showcase performances, among others. This new situation may spur the move for the
Government and industry to prioritise reskilling and redeploying labour to maximise
productivity. Individuals may seek different skills to adapt to a new skills sector,
whereas companies may put high emphasis on adaptability skills when recruiting new
talent.
This could mean that some abilities would be more important than others; such
as skills often discussed to overcome recent automation risk: complex problem solving,
critical thinking, creative thinking, cognitive flexibility and others. On the other hand, in
the middle to long term, the supply and demand curves in the economy may shift to a
new equilibrium as certain sectors grow or decline. In this regard, industry should
leverage on this crisis to reassess existing business structure and innovate towards a new
normal of doing business. With the adoption of digital technology, workers will have
the opportunity to increase efficiency and productivity (DOSM, 2020).
As the pandemic continues to change the economic landscape, the business

models continue to be reinvented; subsequently causing shift in job trends. In relation to
this, the government initiatives on strategic investments may become a catalyst of
innovation to encourage the use of technology in cross-sectorial businesses (DOSM,
2020). Some of the initiatives related to the Digital Technology Industry are the Global
Online Workforce (GLOW) Programme that provides training for income generation
through an online platform. In addition, the government‟s initiatives for reskilling, up
skilling and cross-skilling programmes provided by various agencies will further
facilitate in preparing future workforce with the skills in demand by the industry
employers.
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2.11 Chapter Conclusion
This chapter has elaborated on the elements pertinent to the development and stability
of the Digital technology Industry such as its stakeholders, legislations, government
initiatives, Malaysian Standards and Occupational Standards. With all these elements in
place, a structured Occupational Framework for the Digital technology Industry is able
to function and be utilised with aspirations of enhancing and developing the skills of its
workforce.
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CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
This section elaborates the research methodology that was applied throughout the
project, including research design, data sources, data collection, data analysis and issues
of validity. Table 3.1 shows the research objectives, research questions and
corresponding research methods that were used to answer the research questions and
meet the research objectives. Based on the various research methods that can be applied
to solicit the findings of this research, the most suitable research design would be the
mixed methods research approach.
Table 3.1: Research Objectives, Research Questions and Research Methods
No Objective of Study Research Questions Research

method
1 To identify the job areas What are the job areas related to Quantitative
related to the Digital the Digital Technology
Technology Industry. Industry?
2 To explore the competencies in What are the competencies in Quantitative

demand for the Digital demand for the Digital
Technology Industry. Technology Industry?
3 To produce a Digital What are the MSIC 2008 Qualitative

Technology Industry Sections and Divisions that
Occupational Structure (OS) should be included in the
that presents the relevant MSIC Digital Technology Industry
2008 Sections and Divisions. Occupational Structure (OS)?
95
The mixed methods research design selected for this study is the sequential
explanatory development design that consists of two sequential phases of data collection
and data analysis. The results from the first phase which is quantitative were analysed
and subsequently, the second phase which is qualitative was to obtain input from survey
respondents or Focus Group Discussion (FGD) members regarding the occupations and
areas in the Digital Technology Industry. Therefore, the results were validated within
the study by using both approaches in one study as they provide additional support for
the findings of the other approach (Creswell, J, 2013).
3.2 Research Procedure
The operational framework shown in Figure 3.1 shows the research procedures which
consist of the Conceptual, Quantitative and Qualitataive Phase. The findings confirmed
the final outcome of the research which is the Digital Technology Industry OS.
Conceptual Phase
The conceptual phase initially consists of conducting the literature review on the Digital
Technology Industry. The literature review findings provide the basis for the research
gap, objectives, research questions, population and as reference for survey development.
Phase 1: Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis

Phase 1 consists of quantitative data collection and analysis. An initial Focus Group
Discussion (FGD) was conducted to identify the constructs for the survey. The survey
questionnaires were disseminated to Digital Technology Industry practitioners via online
methods and then the results were analysed to identify frequencies and descriptive
information. The survey results in the form of quantitative data was analysed using
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Phase 2: Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

Purposive sampling was applied to further understand the survey results by consulting
industry practitioners. The qualitative data was analysed using the Development of
Standards and Curriculum (DESCUM) methodology that is usually applied in OS
development.
96
Project Phase Project Activity, Procedures, Instruments and Analysis tools Used Project Activity Products (Outcomes)
Conceptual Procedures: Conceptual Study Products:

Study: Document Analysis  Preliminary information on the Digital
Identification Technology Industry (i.e. stakeholders,
of problem Sources: Journal articles, books, relevant agencies (DSD, DOSM, HRDF,) and private legislations, development initiatives etc.)
area and organisation reports on Digital Technology Industry MSIC, NOSS, Occupational Framework
variables analysis reports and the Research on Digital Technology Industry OF development report.
Phase 1 Data Collection Product:

Procedures: Survey with Digital Technology industry
Phase 1:  Completed Surveys
practitioners quan data collection
Quantitative Sampling technique: Stratified sampling according to
Data Digital Technology Industry sub-sector Instrument: Survey
Collection
Phase 1 Data Analysis Products:

Phase 1: quan Data Procedure: Descriptive
 Empirical data on Digital Technology
Quantitative Preparation of Data for Quantitative Data Analysis: Analysis
Assign numeric values, identify appropriate statistical test Industry (Frequency / percentage )
Data Analysis Analysis Tool: SPSS
Procedures: QUAL data collection Phase 2 Data Collection Products:

Phase 2: Feedback and opinions on survey results
Focus Group Discussions with Digital Technology Industry Instrument: FGD
Qualitative
experts and practitioners protocol
Data
Sampling technique: Purposive sampling until saturation of
Collection
information
Phase 2 Data Analysis Products:

QUAL Data: Procedure: Thematic Master Occupational Framework for
Phase 2: Preparation of Data for Qualitative Data Analysis: Analysis
Qualitative Digital Technology Industry
Coding data by assigning labels to codes, grouping Analysis Tool: DESCUM
Data Analysis codes into themes Methodology
97
Figure 3.1: Research Operational Framework
3.3 Research Instruments
Various research instruments were developed for this research to collect, analyse, and
then to present systematic data to answer the objectives and research questions. These
instruments are elaborated below.
3.3.1 Focus Group Discussion Guide (Semi-structured questions)
In this research, the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions were used to collect the
qualitative data. The FGD was based on an FGD guide that assists the researcher in
obtaining the required information. The FGD guide included the main areas for
exploration to guide the facilitator during the FGD. For the first session would be to
identify areas of research that should be included in the survey. Subsequently, in the
second FGD session, results from the survey were discussed and validated.
The FGD semi structured interview questions are as below:

1. What are the main occupation areas in the Digital Technology Industry?
2. What are the occupation scopes of each of these occupation titles?
3. Which of these occupations are currently in demand?
4. What are the required skills and competencies of the personnel in the
Digital Technology Industry?
5. What are the issues and challenges faced by the Digital Technology
Industry?
Alternative methods for conducting the FGD session during the Covid -19
Movement Control Order (MCO) were to conduct the FGD on online platforms. As
online sessions cannot be conducted at longer periods of time such as 8 hours as per
DSD requirements, the documentation to be discussed were provided to the FGD panel
prior to the online session. Additional one-to-one online interviews with the FGD panel
were also conducted to obtain more in-depth information.
98
3.3.2 Survey Instrument
This study disseminated the survey via online and mobile surveys using Google forms
to the sample Digital Technology industry practitioners. The research instrument to be
used for quantitative data collection is the survey questionnaire. The survey
questionnaire was divided into three sections which include: survey respondent
demographics, occupations under the Digital Technology Industry and competencies in
demand. The items in the demographics section aimed to solicit information regarding
the location and type of business activity the respondent is involved in. The research
instrument was developed based on the FGD in the first phase of research.
a) Survey Design
The survey was designed based on the feedback from FGD input based on the
main themes. The survey is divided according to the sections elaborated below:
Demographic Information
This section solicits demographic information of the survey respondent
regarding location, job position and contact information for further
communication.
Section on Digital Technology Industry Occupations and Job Areas

This section explores the common occupations that are related to the Digital
Technology industry and under which industry sectors.
Section on Digital Technology Industry Competencies

This section solicits information on current competencies that are demand in the
Digital Technology Industry. The list of competencies was based on synthesis of
Future Jobs skills in demand highlighted in the World Economic Forum‟s report
and those proposed by the FGD panel.
99
b) Measures and Instrumentation
To increase the response rate and consistent responses, the survey was designed
based on a combination of open ended questions and close-ended questions such
as a five point scale of relevance, multi-response questions and dichotomous
(Yes/No) response questions.
3.4 Validity and Reliability of Survey Instrument
The research instrument was tested in terms of content validity and reliability. Content
validity was conducted by checking with the FGD panel members; this is known as
member checking. They reviewed the content whether the items used were easy for
respondents to understand and respond to. The results from member checking were
analysed and used to amend any shortcomings of the survey instrument. Another
method to check validity of the survey instrument was via a pilot study and reliability
test run in SPSS software. The findings from the Content Validity and Pilot Study are
included below.
a) Content Validity
Each of the FGD panel members were requested to provided comments on the
survey instrument during an online meeting FGD session held in August 2020.
From this session, the panel members provided comments on the survey
instrument which include the following:
 To amend the Digital Technology Industry chart of job areas such as
Games Development changed to Video Games and Infrastructure
changed to ICT Infrastructure.
 To simplify the survey items on agreement of job areas such as
increase, decrease and spread of job scopes in the Digital Technology
Industry.
 To restructure the question of job hierarchy or career progression
100
 To change the ranking from four point to five point scale in order to
obtain a middle point. The scales were changed from rank of
Agreement to Relevance.
 The list of competencies were reviewed and refined.
b) Pilot Study
A pilot study was conducted to gauge the validity and reliability of the survey
instrument. The survey was distributed to 16 respondents whom shared the
similar characteristics as the survey population and sample which are those
representing companies registered as MSC status companies with MDEC. The
response rate was 50% with 8 respondents whom answered the pilot study
survey. The pilot study findings are elaborated below.
i. Reliability Test
A reliability test was run on the pilot study survey using SPSS that obtained a
Cronbach Alpha value of 0.815 for 96 items as shown in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2: Cronbach Alpha Value of Survey Instrument
Cronbach's Alpha N of Items

.815 96
This shows that the pilot study survey was reliable because the Cronbach
Alpha value is bigger than the Cronbach Coefficient value which is 0.621.
However, the survey instrument has been further amended to increase its validity
and reliability.
Table 3.3 shows that the items regarding job positions should be deleted in
order for the Cronbach Alpha to increase. Therefore these survey items were
deleted.
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Table 3.3: List of Items to be Deleted based on Cronbach Alpha Value
Survey Item Labels Scale Mean if Scale Corrected Cronbach's

Item Deleted Variance if Item-Total Alpha if Item
Item Deleted Correlation Deleted
Position 193.56 760.528 -.578 .855
Superior Position 196.00 455.750 .593 .821
Subordinate Position 196.00 710.000 -.255 .876
ii. Highlights from Pilot Study Results
The pilot study showed that most respondents feel that their businesses are related
to MSIC 2008 Section J (Information and Communication), Section P (Education)
and Section R (Art, Entertainment and Recreation) as shown in Table 3.4 below.
Table 3.4: Pilot Study Highlights
MSIC 2008 Section J Divisions Vs. Relevant MSIC 2008 Section

MSIC 2008 Section Section J Section P Section R
Section Section Count 2 4 3
J J58
% within Section J
Division 33.3% 66.7% 50.0%
Divisions
% within MSIC
50.0% 57.1% 75.0%
2008 Section
% of Total 22.2% 44.4% 33.3%
Section Count 4 5 4
J59
% within Section J
57.1% 71.4% 57.1%
Divisions
% within MSIC
100.0% 71.4% 100.0%
2008 Section
% of Total 44.4% 55.6% 44.4%
Section Count 2 3 1
J60
% within Section J
50.0% 75.0% 25.0%
Divisions
% within MSIC
50.0% 42.9% 25.0%
2008 Section
% of Total 22.2% 33.3% 11.1%
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MSIC 2008 Section J Divisions Vs. Relevant MSIC 2008 Section
MSIC 2008 Section Section J Section P Section R
Section Count 1 1 0
J61
% within Section J
100.0% 100.0% 0.0%
Divisions
% within MSIC
25.0% 14.3% 0.0%
2008 Section
% of Total 11.1% 11.1% 0.0%
Section Count 2 5 1
J62
% within Section J
40.0% 100.0% 20.0%
Divisions
% within MSIC
50.0% 71.4% 25.0%
2008 Section
% of Total 22.2% 55.6% 11.1%
Section Count 4 6 1
J63
% within Section J
66.7% 100.0% 16.7%
Divisions
% within MSIC
100.0% 85.7% 25.0%
2008 Section
% of Total 44.4% 66.7% 11.1%
Total Count 4 7 4
% of Total 44.4% 77.8% 44.4%
The pilot study also shows that most of the survey respondents feel that
their company‟s main business activities are related to Section J‟s Division J 58
(66.7%), Division 59 (77.8%), Division 62 (55.6%) and Division 63 (66.7%).
Although the numbers of respondents were small, the results provided a
preliminary indication of which MSIC 2008 Section and MSIC 2008 Section J‟s
Divisions are related to the Digital Technology Industry. The overall survey
findings were further discussed with FGD panel in the subsequent phase which is
the qualitative phase.
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3.5 Data Collection
Sources of data collection are relevant documents and Digital Technology industry
practitioners. Initially, documents are the sources of information such as economic
reports, manpower development reports, NOSS, previous OA/OF reports, MSIC 2008,
and information obtained from MDEC and other relevant government agency‟s
websites, in order to identify the current Digital Technology industry landscape and
outlook. These documents serve as reference when assessing data obtained from the
survey.
3.6 Population
The population covers the industry practitioners of the various Digital Technology sub-
sectors. The population is based on the number of MSC status companies registered
with MDEC. This criterion is used to define the population as MSC status are
recognised to be under the areas relevant to the Digital Technology Industry. Based on
the latest statistics from MDEC (2019), the total of registered MSC status companies are
4,664, however, only 2,911 are active and operational.
MSC companies are acknowledged by MDEC to be a provisioner of services

that are related to any of the following: Big Data Analytics (BDA), Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), Internet of Things (IoT), Data
Centre and Cloud (technology/software/design and support), Blockchain, Creative
Media Technology, Sharing Economy Platform, User Interface and User Experience
(UI/UX), Integrated Circuit (IC) Design and Embedded Software, 3D Printing
(technology/software/design and support), Robotics (technology/software/design),
Autonomous (technology/software/design and support), Systems/Network Architecture
Design and Support, Global Business Services or Knowledge Process Outsourcing
(excludes non-technical and/or low value call centre, data entry, and recruitment process
outsourcing).
The location of the survey will not be limited to any of the states in Malaysia, as
there is uneven number of MSC status companies. Furthermore, as the survey will be
104
conducted online, the dissemination of the survey will be able to reach geographically
dispersed locations.
Table 3.5: Composition of Active MSC Companies by State
State No. of Active

Companies
Selangor 1,328
Kuala Lumpur 1,240
Pulau Pinang 148
Johor 55
Putrajaya 37
Perak 20
Sarawak 16
Melaka 16
N.Sembilan 12
Kedah 12
Pahang 8
Sabah 7
Terengganu 6
Kelantan 4
Perlis 1
Labuan 1
Grand Total 2,911
(Source: MDEC, 2019)
The sample for both qualitative and quantitative approaches cover the various
Digital Technology industry sub-sectors. Based on the MSC Companies statistics, these
industry sub sectors are represented in clusters as shown in Table 3.6.
105
Table 3.6: MSC Status Company Clusters Vs. Digital Technology Industry Sub-
sectors
MSC Status Digital Information Global Institute of

Company Clusters/ Creative Technology Business Higher
Digital Technology Content Services Learning
Industry sub-sectors (IHL) &
Incubators
Digital Creative x -
Content
ICT Services x x -
The clusters comprise of Digital Creative Content, Information Technology,

Global Business Services and Incubators and are mapped to the initial Digital
Technology industry sub sectors as below. Due to the nature of IHL and Incubators that
are not full-fledged businesses but focus more to research and development, this cluster
will not be included in the survey population and sample, thus the total population value
is 2798 as shown in Table 3.7 and Figure 3.2.
Table 3.7: Number of MSC Status Company According to Clusters
Cluster No. of Active MSC Companies
Digital Creative Content 334

Global Business Services 579
InfoTech 1,885
Grand Total 2,798
106
Number of Active MSC Companies
Digital
Creative
Content
12%
Global
Business
Services
21%
InfoTech
67%
Figure 3.2: Pie Chart Number of MSC Status Company According to Clusters
3.7 Sampling
3.7.1 Qualitative Data Collection Sampling
Purposive sampling was applied in qualitative data collection to ensure that the FGD
participants are well versed and knowledgeable regarding the Digital Technology
Industry. The rule of thumb to determine the number of FGD participants and to obtain
saturated responses is the minimum of 6 - 8 participants, if the responses are still not
saturated, then the researcher will continue the qualitative data collection process until
saturation point. The number of FGD participants was 15 and their expertise covered
most areas under the Digital technology Industry. The list of FGD panel members can
be referred in Annex 2 of this report.
3.7.2 Quantitative Data Collection Sampling
Stratified sampling was applied for quantitative data collection; this was to ensure
generalisability by increasing the equal chance to be selected for data collection. The
sample is divided according to the different Digital Technology Industry sub-sectors.
107
From these strata lists, the sample is picked randomly to ensure that all potential survey
respondents have an equal chance of being selected to respond to the survey.
The sample size was calculated by using the Krejcie and Morgan table (Refer
Table 3.8) and the formula used by the Rao sample calculation, to identify the
appropriate sample size of Digital Technology Industry establishments. Based on the
sample size generated by the sample calculation software by Raosoft and also the
Krejcie and Morgan sample table, the sample size for the population of 2798 was
calculated, resulting in a sample of 338. This research applied a 5% margin of error and
a 95% confidence level which is the amount of uncertainty that can be tolerated and
50% response distribution
Table 3.8: Krejcie and Morgan Table for Determining Sample Size from a Given
Population
N S N S N S
10 10 220 140 1200 291
15 14 230 144 1300 297
20 19 240 148 1400 302
25 24 250 152 1500 306
30 28 260 155 1600 310
35 32 270 159 1700 313
40 36 280 162 1800 317
45 40 290 165 1900 320
50 44 300 169 2000 322
55 48 320 175 2200 327
60 52 340 181 2400 331
65 56 360 186 2600 335
70 59 380 191 2800 338
75 63 400 196 3000 341
80 66 420 201 3500 346
85 70 440 205 4000 351
90 73 460 210 4500 354
108
N S N S N S
95 76 480 214 5000 357
100 80 500 217 6000 361
110 86 550 226 7000 364
120 92 600 234 8000 367
130 97 650 242 9000 368
140 103 700 248 10000 370
150 108 750 254 15000 375
160 113 800 260 20000 377
170 118 850 265 30000 379
180 123 900 269 40000 380
190 127 950 274 50000 381
200 132 1000 278 75000 382
210 136 1100 285 1000000 384
Legend:
N is population size.
S is sample size.
The sample formula used for stratified sampling18 is:
Sample size of strata = size of entire sample/population size x layer size
Subsequently, the sample is selected from each strata layer according to each
stratum‟s sample size. According to the mapping of Digital Technology Industry sub-
sectors to MSC status companies status, the strata size and strata sample size is as
shown in Table 3.9.
18
Australian Bureau of Statistics. Sample Size Calculator example using stratified random sampling. Date
Retrieved : 5th January 2020.
https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/Home/Sample+Size+Calculator+Stratification+Examp
les?opendocument
109
Table 3.9: Strata Sample Size
Digital Technology Industry Strata Size Strata Sample Size
Sub Sector
Digital Creative Content 334 40
ICT Services 2464 298
Total 2798 338
3.8 Data Analysis
The mixed methods data analysis involves complementing and building upon the
qualitative data with the quantitative data obtained.
3.8.1 Qualitative Analysis
Qualitative data analysis was conducted using thematic and content analysis based on
data collection regarding the main areas of exploration in the FGD. Thematic analysis
was conducted to identify the recurring themes in the FGD sessions and was labelled for
analysis. DESCUM methodology was used when identifying the OS job titles, levels of
competency and career progression.
3.8.2 Quantitative Analysis
The quantitative approach analyses the frequency of survey responses to prove the
generalisation of the qualitative analysis results via quantitative analysis. Google form
analysis tools and SPSS analysis tools were utilised where suitable to analyse the survey
responses.
3.9 Limitations
The limitation of the research was the industry survey response rate from industry
practitioners. In order to obtain a higher response rate, the surveys were sent through
MDEC‟s CLIC division to the whole population of 2798 MSC companies. The surveys
110
were sent to the respective companies‟ emails three (3) times throughout the month of
October 2020 and followed up by directly contacting the companies which was
conducted by this project‟s research team. However, the survey only received 60
responses, with only 55 being counted as 5 of the responses were not complete.
Therefore, the data from 55 survey responses were entered into SPSS in order to be
analysed.
The qualitative phase was conducted using the Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
approach to explore the Digital Technology Industry‟s job areas and relevant MSIC
2008 Sections and Divisions. Due to the condition of the Covid 19 pandemic, two of
the FGD sessions had to be conducted online. In order to overcome the low response
rate, the survey findings were further confirmed with the FGD panel whom were
industry experts in their respective areas as selected by MDEC and approved by DSD.
However, despite the challenges, mixed methods research provided a more
comprehensive set of data that was able to be analysed and ultimately lead to a more
complete answer to the research question (Creswell, J., 2003).
3.10 Research Activities
The research activities were based on the main milestones that have been defined and
set by DSD and MDEC. Table 3.10 shows the activities conducted throughout the
research. A series of FGD sessions were conducted to enable in-depth discussions on
the characteristics and other relevant issues of the industry workforce and to discuss the
survey results.
Table 3.10: List of Research Activities

No. Project Phase Project Activity
1. Inception  Research methodology planning

(Conceptual Phase)  Research questions formulation
 Identification of survey population and sample
 Identification of Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
respondents
111
No. Project Phase Project Activity
 Invitation of FGD respondents
2. Phase 1  Literature Review

 Preparation of draft report ( Chapter 1-3)
 1st Focus Group Discussion
 1st OF Research Technical Committee Evaluation
Meeting
 Submission of interim phase approved documents
3. Phase 2  Industry Survey
 2nd Focus Group Workshop
 2nd OF Research Technical Committee Evaluation
Meeting
 Submission of approved documents
4. Final Phase  Final draft report submission
5. Final Report  Printing and binding of final report
Submission
This chapter has explained the research procedures pertaining to the research on the
Digital Technology Industry Master Occupational Framework. The Sequential
Explanatory mixed methods approach will be applied in this research which will start
with the quantitative phase which is the industry survey, followed by the qualitative
phase with FGD members to discuss the survey findings.
112
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Chapter Introduction
This chapter will present the research findings according to the research questions as
follows:
i. What are the job areas related to the Digital Technology Industry?
ii. What are the competencies in demand for the Digital Technology
Industry?
iii. What are the MSIC 2008 Sections and Divisions that should be included
in the Digital Technology Industry‟s Occupational Structure (OS)?
The research was carried out in two phases which were the quantitative phase
and qualitative phase. The quantitative phase was conducted via a survey distributed to
the Digital Technology practitioners where the survey instrument was developed based
on FGD findings. The demographics of the survey and findings for both qualitative and
quantitative phases are presented in the following sections according to the Research
Questions. The quantitative findings are based on the analysis conducted via SPSS and
Google form survey analysis, whereas the qualitative findings based on the FGD
sessions.
4.2 Demographics of Survey Respondents
4.2.1 Job Designation
The following Figure 4.1 shows that the majority of the survey respondents were in C-
Level (Chief Level i.e. CEO, CTO etc.) positions (31%) and Directors (33%) of the
companies, thus implying that they were knowledgeable in regards to the industry‟s
manpower requirements.
113
Frequency of Survey Respondent's Job Positions
4%
14%
33% Director
C Level
18% Manager
Executive
Operations
31%
Figure 4.1: Frequency of Survey Respondent‟s Job Positions
4.2.2 Location
The survey was distributed online to MSC companies in all 14 states in Malaysia, the
majority of the respondents were companies or businesses based in Selangor (65%),
followed by Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (16%) as shown in Figure 4.2.
Location of Business Activites

2% 2%
4%
4% 4%
Selangor
3%
Kuala Lumpur
Pahang
Perak
16% Melaka
Johor
65%
Penang
Kedah
Figure 4.2: Location of Business Activities
114
4.2.3 Type of Company’s Business Activities
The majority of companies of the survey respondents had business activities in

Information Services (18.5%), Animation (16.9%), ICT Infrastructure (13.7%) and
Software Development (13.7%) as shown in Table 4.1 and Figure 4.3 below.
Table 4.1: Type of Company‟s Business Activities
Number Job Area N Percent

1. Animation 21 16.9%
2. Video Games 7 5.6%
3. ICT Infrastructure 17 13.7%
4. Soft Development 17 13.7%
5. Big Data Analytics 12 9.7%
6. Cybersecurity 6 4.8%
7. Industrial ICT 13 10.5%
8. Information Service 23 18.5%
9. Other Areas 8 6.5%
Total 124 100.0%
Frequency of Job Areas related to Business Activities
Animation
6%
17% Video Games
18% ICT Infrastructure

6% Soft Development
Big Data Analytics
10% 14% Cybersecurity
Industrial ICT
5%
14% Information Service
10%
Other Areas
Figure 4.3: Frequency of Job Areas Related to Business Activities
115
4.3 Findings for Research Question 1
Research Question 1: What are the job areas related to the Digital Technology
Industry?
During the 1st FGD, the panel had identified the initial job areas under the Digital
Technology Industry as shown below in Figure 4.4. The main sub sectors were Digital
Creative Content and ICT Services. Digital Creative Content was further divided into
Animation and Video Games Development. Whereas ICT Services was divided into
Digital Technology Infrastructure, Software Development, Big Data Analytics,
Industrial ICT, Cybersecurity, Quality Assurance and Information Services.
Digital Creative Content ICT Services
Video Digital Software Big Data Industrial Information Quality

Animation technology Cybersecurity
Games Development Analytics ICT Services Assurance
Infrastructure
Pre Video Game Data Risk and Internet of Data

On Premise Front End
Production Design Engineering Compliance Things Processing
2D Video Game Data Managed

Cloud Back End VR and AR Hosting
Animation technology Analytics Security
Production Services
Video Game Data
Full Stack Drone Web Portal
3D Production Architecture
Animation
Production Video Game Advanced
Development Robotics
Post Quality
Production Assurance
System
Integration
Video Game
Visual Art
Artificial
Intelligence
Figure 4.4: Digital Technology Industry Job Areas Identified Pre Survey
However, after obtaining the survey results on the view of the survey
respondents on the job areas identified above, 83.6 % of the survey respondents agreed
with the above job areas, whereas 16.4 % of the survey respondents did not agree with
the job areas identified as shown in Figure 4.5 below.
116
Figure 4.5: Agreement on Digital Technology Job Areas
Table 4.2 below shows the list of reasons why the 10 survey respondents did not
agree with the job areas identified prior to the survey.
Table 4.2: Survey Respondents Reasons for not Agreeing to Job Areas
No. Reasons For Not Agreeing To The Job Areas Listed (Quotations are
excerpts from survey responses)
1 “Miss out a very important component - Network Infrastructure. On

Software Development, need DBA for complex big database. For
Cybersecurity its DR planning and Cyber Investigation while manage
security services to me means monitoring of the environment for
compliance and risk. Cyber Investigation ability is a specialized field.”
2 “Job areas in the real world are not so clearly defined. It’s more like a
mushy cloud with blurry borders”
3 “We do not include all the job descriptions”
4 “Might need to put Devops under Digital Technology Infrastructure“
5 “VR and AR should put under video games. “
6 “The job tree can be an overlap and typically it is hard to segment it

especially on ICT services“
117
No. Reasons For Not Agreeing To The Job Areas Listed (Quotations are
excerpts from survey responses)
7 “ICT is too broad. It should be split into software (development, analytics,)

and infrastructure (hardware, firewall, hosting, bandwidth, etc.).”
8 “Side comment - the emerging landscape is that AI driven by Big Data

Analytics will be key component to every segment.”
9 “We need to include Data Scientists within the Big Data Analytics.”
10 “From industry point of view, Digital Technology Industry is divided into

two areas, one is Software Application (Digital), and the other is
Hardware & Equipment (Technology). Both integrated to publish
information for End Users. Digital Creative Content and ICT Services are
sub-divisions of both areas.”
Each of the ten reasons was discussed with the FGD panel members in the third
workshop session in order to finalise the job areas. The FGD panel members discussed
and reviewed the job areas based on the survey findings and also on their own
respective expertise and experience in the industry.
Subsequently, after identifying the job areas, the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections
have also been discussed in the FGD sessions. The survey results have also shown the
industry‟s views on which MSIC 2008 Section J Divisions and Groups are most
relevant to their company‟s business activities.
The results in Table 4.3 show that the MSIC J Division that is related to most of
the job areas under ICT Services is J62 which is Programming and Consultancy
Services and J 63 Information Services. The MSIC J Division that is most related to
areas under Digital Creative Content is J59. Other areas are those specified by survey
respondents as not listed under the MSIC 2008 Section J.
118
Table 4.3: MSIC 2008 Section J Groups Related to Digital Technology Industry Job Areas
Job Areas MSIC 2008 Section J Groups
581 582 591 592 601 601 611 612 619 620 631 639 Total
Animation Production 5 7 18 6 1 9 0 1 1 3 6 6 20
Video Games Development 3 3 5 1 1 3 0 0 0 1 2 3 7
Digital Technology Infrastructure 3 8 4 3 0 4 1 4 2 11 11 9 17
Software Development 2 9 3 3 0 2 0 1 1 13 10 7 17
Big Data Analytics 0 5 2 1 0 2 0 2 0 9 7 3 12
Cybersecurity 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5 3 1 6
Industrial ICT 2 6 2 3 0 2 0 2 0 10 9 8 13
Information Services 4 10 4 3 0 4 1 4 2 14 10 15 23
Other Areas 2 1 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 3 2 3 7
Total 7 16 20 8 1 10 1 5 3 23 17 22 52
119
Table 4.3 also shows that the Section J Group with the most responses were J
591, J 620 and J 639. Group J 591 was mostly selected by companies with job areas in
Animation Production (Frequency = 18) and Video Games Development (Frequency =
5), J 620 was mostly chosen by companies with job areas in Digital Technology
Infrastructure (Frequency = 11) and Software Development (Frequency = 13) and J 639
was selected mostly by companies with job areas in Information Services (Frequency =
15).
4.3.1 Description of Digital Technology Industry job areas
The finalised job areas can be referred in Figure 4.6 below. The finalised job areas are
based on FGD input and also based on previous Occupational Framework research
developed for the industry which are the ICT Industry Occupational Analysis (OA)
developed in 2015, the OF for MSIC 2008 Section J 63 (Information Services) and J 62
(Programming and consultancy activities), and in the HRDF-MDEC Industry Skills
Framework for the Digital Technology Industry. The overall structure of Digital
Technology Industry job areas is presented in Figure 4.6, which is followed by the
Occupational Structures for each job area according to the relevant MSIC 2008 Section
J Divisions. The description for each of the job areas are as follows.
a) Digital Creative Content
This main sub-sector covers all the job areas that involve the production of
creative content that is produced via digital technology and is in the form of
Digital Creative Content. This sub-sector is further divided into Animation
Production and Video Games Development as described below.
 Animation Production
Animation is divided into the main areas which are Pre-production, 2D
Animation Production, 3D Animation Production and Post Production.
Based on the survey results (Highest frequency) and also confirmation
with FGD panel, the relevant MSIC J Division is J591. Table 4.4 – Table
120
4.7 shows all the OS for Animation Production according to the various
job areas.
 Video Games Development

Table 4.8 – Table 4.9 shows the OS for Video Games Development.
Video games development covers the job areas that involve the
following: Video Game Design, Video Game Programming, Video Game
Production, Video Game Quality Assurance and Video Game Visual Art.
The MSIC J Division relevant to Video Games Development based on
the survey results was not clear as various divisions had similar
frequency. Therefore, after discussing with the FGD panel, the most
relevant MSIC J Division was J620. This is because in comparison to
J582 which includes publishing of video games, the FGD panel explained
that not all games development companies publish their own games,
where it is sometimes published by other publishing companies.
However, the common denominator and main work activity was
programming and design of the games, which is included under J 620.
Although J620 highlights programming for game consoles, the FGD
panel agreed that this description should be updated to include online
games.
b) ICT Services
The ICT Services sub-sector is divided into Digital Technology Infrastructure,

Software Development, Big Data Analytics, Industrial ICT, Cybersecurity,
Quality Assurance and Information Services. Most of the areas under ICT
Services are under MSIC J 620 due to survey results and the job scope that
matches the description of J 620, except for Information Services which is under
J 631 Information Services. The description of the job areas are provided below.
121
 Digital Technology Infrastructure
This job area is further divided according to the type of infrastructure and
implementation which are On Premise, Cloud Computing and System
Integration. Table 4.10 shows the OS for Digital Technology
Infrastructure.
 Software Development
Being one of the integral areas of the Digital Technology Industry,
software development remains to be an important job area, coupled with
advancements in the various programming languages and platforms of
implementation that have improved throughout the years. The Software
Development job area is divided according to the platforms and
implementation of the software that is developed. These areas are Cloud
Application Development, Desktop Application Development, Web
Based and Mobile Application Development and Artificial Intelligence.
The OS for the Software Development job area is shown in Table 4.10.
 Big Data Analytics

Big Data Analytics (BDA) is becoming an integral element in various
industries, with skills in BDA highly sought by employers. Table 4.11
shows the main areas under BDA which are: Data Engineering, Data
Architecture and Data Science.
 Cybersecurity
In the age where our information is largely kept in cyberspace and in
digital form, Cybersecurity is a critical job area to ensure the safety of
our data and information. This job area is divided into the main areas of
cybersecurity personnel in various organisations. These job areas are
Risk and Compliance and Managed Security Services and shown in
Table 4.11.
122
 Industrial ICT
Industry Revolution 4.0 and various technological advancements have
enabled the innovation and increased productivity of not only
manufacturing and production industries, but also services and retail.
This job area is defined as Industrial ICT in order for it to be scalable to
include other emerging technologies in the future. The job areas under
Industrial ICT focus on current industrial ICT technologies that are
applied in various industries where there is a need to develop manpower
specialising in these technologies for the needs of the various types of
industries. The main job areas include Internet of Things Solution
Development, Extended Reality development (which includes
Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality), Drone
Development, and Advanced Robotics Development. Table 4.12 shows
the OS for Industrial ICT.
 Quality Assurance
In order to deliver quality products and services, quality assurance is an
important job area that is required by all the job areas under the Digital
Technology Industry. This job area allows for the development of
personnel whom are skilled in ensuring the quality of Digital Technology
solutions and services. The OS for Quality Assurance is shown in Table
4.12
 Information Services
Information is an important commodity in our daily life and business
operations, therefore job areas pertinent to providing Information
Services is important to develop the required skilled personnel. These job
areas have referred to the Occupational Framework for MSIC 2008
Section J 63 developed by DSD and industry experts in the year 2019.
The areas are as follows: Hosting, Web Portal Services, Streaming
Services, Application Service Providers, Time Share Mainframe, and
Data Processing. Table 4.13 shows the OS for Information Services.
123
Software
Animation Video Games Digital Technology Big Data Information Quality
Development (Dev. Cybersecurity Industrial ICT
Production Development Infrastructure Analytics Services Assurance
Ops)
Cloud Internet of
Video Game On Premise Data Managed Data
Pre Production Application Things Solution
Design Service Engineering Security Processing
Development Development
Services
Cloud Desktop Extended
Video Game
2D Animation Computing Application Data Science Reality Hosting
Programming
Production Service Development Risk and Development
Compliance (VR / AR/MR)
Web Based &
Video Game System Data
Mobile Web Portal
Production Integration Architecture Drone
3D Animation Application Services
Development
Production Development
and Operation
Video Game Streaming
Quality Assurance Artificial Advanced Services
Post Intelligence Robotics
Production Development
Application
Video Game Service
Visual Art Provider (ASP)
Time Share
Mainframe
Figure 4.6: Digital Technology Industry Job Areas
124
Table 4.4: Occupational Structure for Animation (1 of 4)
SECTION (J) INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

DIVISION (59) MOTION PICTURE, VIDEO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMME PRODUCTION,
SOUND RECORDING AND MUSIC PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES
GROUP (591) MOTION PICTURE, VIDEO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES
AREA Pre-production
Animation Script Concept Design Storyboard
Writing
LEVEL 8 No Level No Level No Level
LEVEL 6 No Level Art Director

LEVEL 5 Script Editor Lead Concept Designer Lead Storyboard
Artist
LEVEL 4 Script Writer Concept Character Background Props Storyboard Artist
Artist Designer Designer Designer
LEVEL 3 No Level Junior Concept Artist Assistant
Storyboard Artist
125

DIVISION (59) MOTION PICTURE, VIDEO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMME PRODUCTION, SOUND
RECORDING AND MUSIC PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES
AREA 2D Animation Production
LEVEL 8 No Level
LEVEL 7 Director
LEVEL 6 Art Director 2D Animation Director 2D Animation Technical Director
LEVEL 5 Lead 2D Lead 2D Character Lead 2D Rigger and Lead 2D Effects (FX)
Background/Layout Artist Animator Modeler Artist
LEVEL 4 2D Background/Layout 2D Character Animator 2D Rigger and Modeler 2D Effects (FX) Artist
Artist
LEVEL 3 Junior 2D Artist (Generalist)
LEVEL 2 No Level
LEVEL 1 No Level
126

DIVISION (59) MOTION PICTURE, VIDEO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMME PRODUCTION, SOUND
RECORDING AND MUSIC PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES
AREA 3D Animation Production
LEVEL 8 No Level
LEVEL 7 Director
LEVEL 6 3D Animation 3D Technical Director
Director
LEVEL 5 3D Lead Animator 3D Lead 3D Lead 3D Lead 3D Lead Effects
Modeller Rigger Lighting/Rendering Artist (FX) Artist
LEVEL 4 3D Animator 3D Modeller 3D Rigger 3D Lighting/Rendering 3D Effects (FX)
Artist Artist
LEVEL 3 Junior 3D Artist (Generalist)
LEVEL 2 No Level
LEVEL 1 No Level
127

DIVISION (59) MOTION PICTURE, VIDEO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMME PRODUCTION,
SOUND RECORDING AND MUSIC PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES
AREA Post Production
Compositing Editing
LEVEL 8 No Level No Level
LEVEL 5 Lead Compositor No Level
LEVEL 4 Compositor Editor
LEVEL 3 No Level
LEVEL 2 No Level
LEVEL 1 No Level
128
Table 4.8: Occupational Structure for Video Game Development (1 of 2)

DIVISION (62) COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, CONSULTANCY AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
GROUP (620) COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, CONSULTANCY AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
AREA Video Game Design Video Game Programming Video Game Video Game
Production Quality
Assurance
LEVEL 8 No Level
LEVEL 7 No Level
LEVEL 6 Game Design Director Technical Director Game Producer No Level
LEVEL 5 Lead Game Designer Lead Game Engine Backend Game Production QA Manager
Programmer Programmer Programmer Manager
LEVEL 4 Gameplay Game Level Game Tools No Level Assistant Game Senior Game
Designer Designer Programmer Programmer Production Tester
Manager
LEVEL 3 Game Designer Junior Game Programmer No Level No Level Game Tester
LEVEL 2 No Level
LEVEL 1 No Level
129
Table 4.9: Occupational Structure for Video Game Development (2 of 2)

AREA Video Game Visual Art
2D Game Art Technical User Interface/User 3D Game Art
Art Experience (UI/UX)
LEVEL 8 No Level
LEVEL 7 No Level
LEVEL 6 Game Art Director
LEVEL 5 Lead 2D Game Artist Technical User Interface/User Lead 3D Lead 3D Game Artist
Artist Experience Artist Game
Animator
LEVEL 4 Senior 2D Game No Level User Interface Artist Senior 3D Senior 3D 3D Game
Concept Artist Artist Game Game Artist Character Artist
Animator
LEVEL 3 Concept Artist Junior 2D No Level No Level Junior 3D Junior 3D Junior 3D
Game Artist Game Game Artist Game
Animator Character Artist
LEVEL 2 No Level
LEVEL 1 No Level
130
Table 4.10: Occupational Structure for ICT Services (1 of 4)

AREA Digital Technology Infrastructure Software Development (Dev. Ops)
On Premise Cloud System Cloud Desktop Web Based & Artificial
Service Computing Integration Application Application Mobile Intelligence
Service Development Application
Development
LEVEL 8 No Level No Level No Level No Level No Level No Level No Level
LEVEL 7 No Level No Level No Level Software Architect
LEVEL 6 Senior On Senior Cloud Senior System System Analyst
Premise Computing Integrator
Technologist Technologist
LEVEL 5 On Premise Cloud Computing System Lead Lead Lead Lead
Technologist Technologist Integrator Programmer Programmer Programmer Developer
LEVEL 4 Assistant On Assistant Cloud Assistant Programmer Programmer Programmer Developer
Premise Computing System
Technologist Technologist Integrator
131

AREA Quality Assurance Big Data Analytics
Data Engineering Data Data Analytics Data Science
Architecture
LEVEL 8 No Level No Level No Level No Level No Level
LEVEL 7 No Level Big Data Architect Principal Data Principal Data
Analyst Scientist
LEVEL 6 No Level Senior Data Engineer Senior Data Senior Data Senior Data
Architect Analyst Scientist
LEVEL 5 Quality Assurance Data Engineer Data Architect Data Analyst Data Scientist
Manager
LEVEL 4 Lead Quality Associate Data Associate Data Associate Data Associate Data
Assurance Engineer/ Architect Analyst Scientist
DBA
LEVEL 3 Tester Data Entry Clerk / Data Collection Technician
LEVEL 2 No Level No Level No Level No Level
LEVEL 1 No Level No Level No Level No Level
132

AREA Cybersecurity Industrial ICT
Risk and compliance Managed Internet of Things Extended Reality Drone Advanced Robotics
Security Services (IoT) Solution (VR/AR/MR) Development Development
Development
LEVEL 8 No Level No Level No Level No Level No Level No Level
LEVEL 6 Senior IT Risk and Senior IT Security Senior IoT Solution Senior Extended Senior Drone Senior Advanced
Compliance Manager Manager Technologist Reality Technologist Robotics
Technologist Technologist
LEVEL 5 IT Risk and IT Security IoT Solution Extended Reality Drone Advanced Robotics
Compliance Manager Manager Technologist Technologist Technologist Technologist
LEVEL 4 IT Risk and Assistant IT Assistant IoT Assistant Assistant Drone Assistant Advanced
Compliance Analyst Security Operation Solution Extended Reality Technologist Robotics
Analyst Technologist Technologist Technologist
Note: The Cybersecurity job titles are adapted from the Digital Technology Industry Skills Framework for Cybersecurity (HRDF, 2019) and
OA ICT (DSD, 2015).
133

DIVISION (63) INFORMATION SERVICE ACTIVITIES
GROUP (631) DATA PROCESSING, HOSTING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES; WEB PORTALS
AREA Information Services
Streaming Web Portal Hosting Data Processing Application Time Share
Services Services Service Provider Mainframe
(ASP)
LEVEL 7 IT Director Web Director IT Director IT Director IT Director IT Director
LEVEL 6 Broadcast Project Manager Technical Manager Data Processing ASP Manager Mainframe Manager
Manager Manager
LEVEL 5 Streaming Web Admin Hosting Specialist Data Analyst Application Mainframe System
Specialist Specialist Specialist
LEVEL 4 Broadcast Web Developer Application Data Processing Application Mainframe
Producer Support Technician Developer Technician
LEVEL 3 Content Support Web Programmer Technical Support Data Organiser ASP Support Technical Support
Note: The OS above is adapted from the Occupational Framework for MSIC D J63 (DSD, 2019).
134
Research Question 2: What are the competencies in demand for the Digital
Technology Industry?
The initial list of competencies were identified via literature review (Human Resources
Development Fund (HRDF), 2019; World Economic Forum (WEF), 2020) and based on
input from FGD panel members. These competencies were then included in the survey
instrument to be confirmed by the survey respondents. The competencies were divided
into technical and non-technical competencies. Based on the survey results, the list of
Technical and Non-Technical Competencies can be referred in Table 4.14 and Table
4.15.
The top three non-technical competencies that obtained the highest ranking by
the survey respondents were Design Thinking (Mean Value=4.73), Problem Solving
(Mean Value = 4.73) and Creativity (Mean Value= 4.69). Whereas the top three
technical competencies were Quality Assurance (Mean Value = 4.11), Multidisciplinary
Skills (Mean Value = 4.09) and Programming (Mean Value = 4.05).
The top competencies for technical and non-technical competencies reflect the
competencies in demand for the Digital Technology Industry based on the survey
respondent‟s results, which were further confirmed by the FGD panel.
135
Table 4.14: Mean, Median and Mode Values of Non-Technical Competencies
Non-technical
Commu Public Negotiation Strategic Design Creativity Problem Cognitive Innovation Self Technical Leader Emotional Business
Competencies
/Values nication Relations Skills Thinking Thinking Solving Agility Learning Writing ship Intelligence Intelligence
Skills
Mean 4.44 4.04 4.11 4.58 4.73 4.69 4.73 4.25 4.62 4.45 4.02 4.35 4.09 4.05
Median 5.00 4.00 4.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Mode 5 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 4
Std. Deviation
.811 .793 .832 .629 .525 .573 .489 .927 .623 .789 .828 .700 .928 .951
Table 4.15: Mean, Median and Mode Values of Technical Competencies
Technical
Multimedia Design Prog Digitisation Multidisci Data Data Data Augme Virtual Digital Robotics Comp Machine Risk & Quality
Competencies
/Values Content Technology ram of Records plinary Analytics Mgmt. Extrac nted Reality tools uter learning Security Assurance
Management ming Skills tion Reality handling vision Analysis
Mean 3.85 3.96 4.05 3.87 4.09 3.96 3.98 3.75 3.24 3.25 3.93 2.98 3.22 3.58 3.73 4.11
Median 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Mode 4 4 5 4a 4a 5 5 5 2 4 4 2 3a 5 5 5
Std. Deviation 1.061 .922 .989 1.106 .986 1.053 1.027 1.075 1.186 1.040 2.721 1.326 1.212 1.197 1.162 1.012
136
Research Question 3: What are the MSIC 2008 Sections and Divisions that should be
included in the Digital Technology Industry‟s Master
Occupational Structure (OS)?
The findings for this research question were initially discussed during the FGD session
and after obtaining the survey results on this RQ, then the findings were discussed with
the FGD panel to finalise the related MSIC 2008 Sections.
The survey results presented in Table 4.16 below, show that the MSIC 2008
Sections most relevant to the Digital Technology Industry are: MSIC 2008 Section J
(Information and Communications), Section P (Education), Section R (Art,
Entertainment and Recreation), Section M (Professional, Scientific and Technical
Activities) and Section C (Manufacturing). The justification for the relevancy of these
MSIC 2008 Section is that overall, most companies are related directly to MSIC 2008
Section J. However there are companies that produce creative content for the
Entertainment Industry, such as for TV and Movies under Section R. After consulting
the FGD panel, the job scope of the personnel is more closely related to Section J
because most work is conducted by the animation production team. The production
process is not similar to those in TV and film production. For companies that viewed
themselves to be relevant to MSIC 2008 Section P is because most of their products are
for the education industry. However, when looking at the job scope and product, these
companies are still closely related to MSIC 2008 Section J. Companies that are related
to Section C (Manufacturing) are companies that are involved in the assembly and
maintenance of ICT infrastructure. Section M is related to companies with most work in
Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities such as consulting and testing services.
It must be highlighted that the main MSIC 2008 Section related to the Digital
Technology Industry is Section J. whilst the sections stated above are mostly related in
terms of the final product, the process of development still requires skills categorised as
ICT skills, thus implying that section J is the main MSIC 2008 Section for this industry.
137
Table 4.16: MSIC 2008 Sections Relevant to the Digital Technology Industry
Job Area /MSIC MSIC 2008 Section Total

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U
Animation
0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 13 1 1 2 1 1 12 0 15 1 0 0 21
Production
Video Games
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 7
Development
ICT Infrastructure 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 10 4 1 2 2 2 10 1 5 3 1 1 17
Software
2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 3 10 3 2 2 3 2 9 2 7 2 1 1 17
Development
Big Data Analytics 3 2 4 2 3 2 3 2 3 7 5 2 5 3 2 4 2 3 3 2 2 12
Cybersecurity 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 6
Industrial ICT 3 2 4 2 3 2 3 2 4 9 2 2 4 3 2 8 2 6 2 2 2 13
Information Service 5 3 8 4 5 5 5 4 7 14 5 5 6 7 4 12 5 8 7 3 3 23
Other Areas 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 2 2 4 1 1 5 1 5 2 1 1 8
Total 5 3 10 4 5 6 5 4 8 32 8 6 10 7 5 27 5 25 9 3 3 54
Legend:
A Agriculture, forestry and fishing L Real estate services
B Mining and quarrying M Professional, scientific, and technical activities
C Manufacturing N Administrative and support service activities
D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply O Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
E Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities P Education
F Construction Q Human health and social work activities
G Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles R Arts, entertainment and recreation
H Transportation and storage S Other Service Activities
I Accommodation and food service activities T Activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods and services producing activities
J Information and Communication of households for own use
K Financial and Insurance/takaful activities U Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies
138
Other areas stated in the list of job areas in Table 4.16 above were specified by
survey respondents to include the following:
 Production for TV/Film

 Education
 Business Digitalisation
 Digital goods and services Platform
 Advisory and advocacy
 Document Management Solutions
 TV & Film Products
 Employee background screening
Based on the list of other areas above, show that the survey respondent‟s
business activities were also related to other industries such as TV/Film production,
education and consultancy.
This chapter has elaborated the findings obtained throughout the research based on the
Research Question. These findings will provide to be the preliminary information
required in the planning and implementation of the Digital Technology Industry‟s
Occupational Framework. The main objectives of this research were to identify the
main job areas and MSIC 2008 Sections relevant to the Digital Technology Industry.
The next chapter will conclude the overall findings of this research based on the
research objectives.
139
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Chapter Introduction
Based on a structured and systematic implementation of research undertaken by the

research team, the objectives of the research have been achieved. The conclusions of the
research and the recommendations to move forward are presented in this chapter.
5.2 Conclusions
The conclusions are presented in this section according to the research objectives. In
retrospect, the main objective of this study was to identify the job areas and MSIC 2008
Sections J Divisions relevant to the Digital Technology Industry. In order to meet the
overarching objective, the list of objectives of the study is as follows:
i. To identify the job areas related to the Digital Technology Industry.
ii. To explore the competencies in demand for the Digital Technology Industry.
iii. To produce a Digital Technology Industry Occupational Structure (OS) that
presents the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections and Divisions.
Objective 1: To identify the job areas related to the Digital Technology Industry.
In order to identify the job areas related to the Digital Technology Industry, definitions
and scope of the industry were initially determined via literature and consultation with
the industry FGD and OF evaluation panel. From the scope and definition of the
industry, these job areas are summarised as those that require the skills and use of
digital technology to produce the required products or services. The human capital
under the Digital Technology Industry are those that enable the digital based services or
production for consumers in various industries.
140
Based on the overall research findings the job areas related to the Digital
Technology Industry are as follows:
i. Digital Creative Content
 Animation Production
 Video Games Development
ii. ICT Services

 Digital Technology Infrastructure
 Software Development
 Big Data Analytics
 Cybersecurity
 Industrial ICT
 Information Services
The job areas listed above reflect the scope of occupational areas under the
Digital Technology Industry which in turn will guide the development of the
Occupational Framework for the industry. These job areas also reflect the scope of skills
required by the respective job areas. The competencies required by the Digital
Technology Industry are further confirmed in the second objective.
Objective 2: To explore the competencies in demand for the Digital Technology

Industry.
In order to further confirm the scope of skills required for the job areas under the Digital
Technology Industry, the research also identified the competencies required. The
competencies were divided into Technical and Non-Technical competencies as listed
below.
Technical Competencies:
 Multidisciplinary Skills
141
 Programming
 Data Management
 Data Analytics
 Design Technology
 Digital tools handling
 Digitisation of Records
 Multimedia Content Management
 Data Extraction
 Risk & Security Analysis
 Machine learning
 Virtual Reality
 Augmented Reality
 Computer vision
 Robotics
The technical competencies that ranked highest in the survey were Quality
Assurance, Programming and Multidisciplinary Skills. These demands of skills in
quality assurance reflect that quality of products and services in this industry is critical
and important as it impacts the daily lives and business activities of industries across the
board. Skills in programming imply that it is currently an integral skill required as it is
the „brains‟ of the hardware solutions provided by those in this industry. Fortunately,
efforts in inculcating programming skills have been taken by the government even at
secondary school level. Therefore, providing a head start in identifying and further
developing talented and capable individuals at programming. In an industry that is
becoming more integrated and seamless, the demand for multidisciplinary skills has
increased. Therefore the current and future workforce must have the capability to
acquire these multidisciplinary skills to be applied at the workplace.
Non-Technical Competencies:
 Design Thinking
 Problem Solving
 Creativity
 Innovation
142
 Strategic Thinking
 Self Learning
 Cognitive Agility
 Communication Skills
 Leadership
 Negotiation Skills
 Emotional Intelligence
 Business Intelligence
 Public Relations
 Technical Writing
From the research, the non-technical competencies that are in highly relevant are
Design Thinking, Problem Solving, and Creativity. The non-technical competencies
reflect the skills required by the workforce in the Digital Technology Industry as these
competencies are integral in order to ensure sustainable employment for the workforce
due to the changing demands of the industry and customer requirements. By inculcating
the aforesaid competencies in the industry workforce, will enable them to be more
competitive at a global scale.
Objective 3: To produce a Digital Technology Industry Occupational Structure (OS)

that presents the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections and Divisions.
Based on the research findings, the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections and Division relevant
to the Digital Technology Industry have been identified. It is important to note that the
core areas are still under MSIC 2008 Section J, however, the products and services
provided by the Digital Technology Industry are related to the MSIC 2008 Sections
listed in Table 5.1 below.
143
Table 5.1: Digital Technology Industry and Related MSIC 2008 Sections
Digital Technology MSIC 2008 Sections
Industry Job Areas /
MSIC 2008 Sections C (Manufacturing) J (Information and M (Professional, P (Education) R (Arts,
Communication) Scientific and Entertainment And
Technical Activities) Recreation)
Animation Application of digital Application of Animation products
Production skills and tools in animation in digital distributed for
producing animation educational products entertainment
and online learning purposes
services, for
educational purposes
Video Games Application of digital Application of games Video Games for
Development skills and use of tools in for educational entertainment and
producing games. purposes recreational purposes
Digital Technology Maintenance of related Development and Provision of Serves as backbone Serves as backbone
Infrastructure infrastructure operations of related professional and and infrastructure for and infrastructure for
infrastructure technical services in educational activities entertainment and
regards to recreational activities
infrastructure
Software Development of Application of Provision of Development of Development of
Development software for programming languages professional and software for software for digital
manufacturing and to produce applications technical services in educational purposes tools and products
production purposes for various platforms regards to software related to
development entertainment and
recreational purposes
Big Data Analytics Application of BDA in Development and Provision of Application of BDA Application of BDA
manufacturing application of BDA professional and in educational setting for entertainment and
environment technical services in recreational purposes
144
Digital Technology MSIC 2008 Sections
Industry Job Areas /
MSIC 2008 Sections C (Manufacturing) J (Information and M (Professional, P (Education) R (Arts,
Communication) Scientific and Entertainment And
Technical Activities) Recreation)
regards to BDA
Cybersecurity Implementation and Development and Implementation and Implementation and Implementation and
management of operations ofmanagement of management of
management of
cybersecurity measures cybersecurity measurescybersecurity cybersecurity cybersecurity
for organisation for organisation measures for measures for
measures for
organisation organisation organisation
Industrial ICT Application of Industrial Development and Provision of Application of
Application of
ICT technologies and operations of Industrial professional and Industrial ICT Industrial ICT
solutions in ICT technologies and technical services in technologies andtechnologies and
manufacturing solutions regards to Industrial solutions in
solutions for
ICT educational settings entertainment
purposes
Information Services Provision of information Development and Provision of Provision of Provision of
services in management of professional and information services information services
manufacturing information services technical services in for educational for entertainment
environment regards purposes and setting purposes
145
Table 5.1 explains the relationship of the MSIC 2008 Sections identified via this
research to be relevant to the Digital Technology Industry in order to clarify its
relevancy. In comparison to relevant MSIC 2008 Sections as identified in the ICT SA,
which were MSIC 2008 Section C, J, F, G, M, S, O, the related MSIC 2008 Sections
identified in this research (MSIC 2008 Section C, J, M, P and R) are different due to the
scope of the FGD panel and survey respondents‟ composition which were mainly from
MSC status companies. Therefore, companies under MSIC 2008 Section F, G, S and O
might not be under this category. Another factor is that the ICT SA is based on the ICT
Industry, whereas this research is for the Digital Technology Industry. This implies that
the Digital Technology Industry is a sub set of the ICT Industry which also includes
manufacturing, maintenance, assembly and repair. Section G which is for economic
activities under Wholesale and Retail shows areas that are related to the sales of ICT
products and also E-Commerce. Whereas Section O refers to government
administration that apply and utilise ICT in the daily operations.
With the advent of this research for the Digital Technology Industry
Occupational Framework, future development of Occupational Frameworks will be able
to determine the MSIC 2008 Sections related to Digital Technology Industry, where
this will help tremendously in ensuring that overlapping of occupational areas or job
roles can be avoided between OFs for different industries. The job scope for each
respective industry can also be streamlined and differentiated between the industries.
5.3 Recommendations
5.3.1 Digital Technology Industry Occupational Framework Development
This research aims to facilitate the development of the Digital Technology Industry
Occupational Framework by identifying the related job areas, MSIC 2008 Section J
Divisions and other MSIC 2008 Sections. By understanding the coverage of the job
areas, MSIC 2008 Sections and MSIC Section J divisions, a more comprehensive and
accurate depiction of the Digital Technology Industry can be included in the OF.
146
5.3.2 MDEC to Function as a Consultative Role in OF and NOSS Development
for the Digital Technology Industry
This research has identified that there are various MSIC 2008 Sections related to the
Digital Technology Industry, therefore there is a need to have a collaborative effort
when developing OF for the related MSIC 2008 Sections. This is to ensure there is no
overlapping of job scopes or OS in several OF which will avoid redundant development
of NOSS in the future.
MDEC as the main ILB for the Digital Technology Industry will be able to be
involved consultatively in the development of several OF and NOSS related to the
industry. This will ensure a comprehensive development of related OF and NOSS as
development efforts are more synergised.
5.3.3 Occupational Frameworks to be developed according to MSIC 2008 Group

(3 digits)
Another recommendation to highlight for OF development under DSD would be to

analyse the occupational areas according to MSIC 2008 Group (three digits) as
compared to the overall MSIC 2008 Section J Division, as it would be more defined and
specific to the area being researched.
Development according to MSIC Group will also lessen the occurrence of OF

development that combine several areas that do not have similar core skills, such as for
the Digital Technology Industry core skills would be those related to digitisation, use
and development of digital technologies and provision of digitally delivered services.
For example in MSIC 2008 Section J Division 58 Publishing Activies, consists of both
Group 581 (Publishing of books, periodicals and other publishing activities) and Group
582 (Software Publishing). This Division includes publishing of both printed material
and publishing of software plus publishing via online platforms, therefore the core skills
would not be similar in terms of skills set and technologies used.
147
5.3.4 To Include Additional MSIC Section P and R in Future Review of ICT
Satellite Account 2019
The Digital Technology Industry has become integral in various industries that utilise
and apply digital technology. The use of digital technology has increased triple fold,
especially with the Covid 19 pandemic and advent of Industry Revolution 4.0
technologies and solutions.
As the Digital Technology Industry is a subset of the ICT Industry, future review
of the current cluster of MSIC 2008 Sections related to the ICT Industry in the ICT SA
2019, is suggested to also include MSIC Sections related to the Digital Technology
Industry as identified via this research. In comparison to the current cluster of MSIC
2008 Sections in the ICT Satellite Account (DOSM, 2019) which are MSIC 2008
Section C, F, G, J, M, O, S, this research suggests to also include the MSIC 2008
Sections P (Education) and R (Art, Entertainment and Recreation) in future reviews of
the ICT Satellite Account. This is based on this research‟s findings that the Digital
Technology Industry is also related to the Education industry and Art, Entertainment,
Recreation industry.
Overall, this chapter has presented the conclusions of the research and accompanying
recommendations in order for the research to move forward. By moving forward, an
Occupational Framework for the Digital Technology Industry is possible to be
developed, thus this in turn will enable the development of the NOSS and certification
of Digital Technology Industry personnel via skills training.
148
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150
ANNEX 1: MOSQF LEVEL DESCRIPTORS
151
MALAYSIAN OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK
(MOSQF) LEVEL DESCRIPTOR
(Source: Malaysian Qualification Agency)
LEVEL LEVEL DESCRIPTOR
Achievement at this level reflects the ability to develop original understanding and extend
a sub-area of knowledge or professional practice. It reflects the ability to address
problematic situations that involve many complexes, interacting factors through initiating,
designing and undertaking research, development or strategic activities. It involves the
8
exercise of broad autonomy, judgement and leadership in sharing responsibility for the
development of a field of work or knowledge, or for creating substantial professional or
organisational change. It also reflects a critical understanding of relevant theoretical
and methodological perspectives and how they affect the field of knowledge or work.
Achievement at this level reflects the ability to reformulate and use relevant understanding,
methodologies and approaches to address problematic situations that involve many
interacting factors. It includes taking responsibility for planning and developing courses of
7
action that initiate or underpin substantial change or development, as well as exercising
broad autonomy and judgment. It also reflects an understanding of theoretical and relevant
methodological perspectives, and how they affect their sub-area of study or work.
Achievement at this level reflects the ability to refine and use relevant understanding,
methods and skills to address complex problems that have limited definition. It includes
taking responsibility for planning and developing courses of action that are able to
6
underpin substantial change or development, as well as exercising broad autonomy and
judgment. It also reflects an understanding of different perspectives, approaches of schools
of thought and the theories that underpin them.
Competent in applying a significant range of fundamental principles and complex

techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts. Very substantial
personal autonomy and often significant responsibility for the work of others and for the
5
allocation of substantial resources feature strongly, as do personal accountabilities for
analysis and diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation. Specialisation of
technical skills should be demonstrated.
152
Competent in performing a broad range of complex technical or professional work
activities carried out in a wide variety of contexts and with a substantial degree of personal
4
responsibility and autonomy. Responsibility for the work of others and allocation of
resources is often present. Higher level of technical skills should be demonstrated.
Competent in performing a broad range of varied work activities, performed in a variety

3 of context, most of which are complex and non-routine. There is considerable
responsibility and autonomy and control or guidance of others is often required.
Competent in performing a significant range of varied work activities, performed in a

2 variety of context. Some of the activities are non-routine and required individual
responsibility and autonomy.
Competent in performing a range of varied work activities, most of which are routine and
1
predictable.
153
ANNEX 2: LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
154
LIST OF FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION PANEL MEMBERS
POSITION /
NO NAME EXPERTISE
ORGANISATION
Cloud solutions/ Systems/
Manager, SSDU Programming/ Database/
1. Situah Ariff Bin Zakaria
Innovations Sdn. Bhd. Applications/ Platforms/ Web/
Networking/ ICT Consultation
Manager/ Technical
Support
Tc. Mohd Hanafi Bin
2. Kancil Emas Enterprise, Systems/ Server/ Web
Mahamud
Multimedia University
(Melaka)
PHP Programming/ Android
Chief Executive Officer Application Development/
Mohd Asyraf Bin Mohd
3. (CEO), System Analysis/ System
Nordin
My Big Apps Sdn. Bhd. Development Consultation/
Networking
Dzulfadhli Bin Zainal Chief Technical Officer
4. Abidin (CTO), Quest Outlook E-commerce
Resources Sdn. Bhd.
Mohamed Khairi Bin Animation Director/
2D Animation Production/2D
5. Ibrahim Founder, Creatvtoon
Animation Training
Studio
Director, Anithink
Amir Hamzah Bin Hashim
6. Consultant Sdn Bhd / 2D Animation
Presiden Animas
Founder & Executive
Usamah Bin Zahid
7. Director, WAU 3D Animation
Animation Sdn. Bhd.
Line Producer, Digital
8. Kamal Bahrin Bin Sudin 3D Animation
Durian
Jeremy Choo Li Chiean CEO , Ammo Box
9. Games Development
Studios
Shahrizar Bin Roslan
10. CEO, Kaigan Games Games Development
Kumaran
Director/ Multimedia
11. Khalil Bin Zulkifflee Consultant Multimedia
CPX Resources
Managing Director/ Web, Mobile App & Game
Mohd Fuad Mahadi Bin
12. Producer Development, Graphic Design,
Ya‟akob
Adi Karya Sdn. Bhd. Audio & Video Production
Prop/ Pre-Production/
Freelancer/ Director/ Production/ Post Production/
Haizal Izham Bin Abd Animator/ Graphic Script Writer/ Videographer/
13.
Rahman Designer Photo Editor/ Video Editor/
Colours Pro Resources Sound Editor/ Networking/
Online Digital Marketing/
155
POSITION /
NO NAME EXPERTISE
ORGANISATION
Server Maintenance
Chief Executive Officer
Wan Muzaffar Bin Wan Web & Mobile Application
14. Anak2U Sdn. Bhd.
Hashim Software
LIST OF TECHNICAL EVALUATION PANEL MEMBERS
NO NAME ORGANISATION POSITION

Director, Strategic Cooperation
Department of Skills
1. Faizah Binti Harun Division / JTPOF Meeting
Development
Chairperson
Department of Skills Principal Assistant Director,
2. Abdul Karim Bin Rahman
Development Industry lead Body
Senior Manager,
3. Allan Cheah Wei Ming MDEC
Strategy & Advocacy
Department of Statistics Principal Assistant Director,
4. Mazliana Binti Mustapa
Malaysia Methodology and Research
Dr. Syahril Anuar Bin Idris
5. UMP Holdings Senior Executive
Mohamed Amiruddin Bin
6. Wau Analytics Services Consultant
Jumaat
156
LIST OF INDUSTRY LEAD BODY PERSONNEL/SECRETARIAT
(MALAYSIA DIGITAL ECONOMY CORPORATION (MDEC))
NO NAME ORGANISATION POSITION

Manager, Digital Talent
1. Syahirah Binti Shaari MDEC
Development
Manager, Digital Talent
2. Sarah Farhana Binti Juhari MDEC
Development
Senior Executive, Digital
3. Rafidah Binti Mat Hezan MDEC
Talent Development
Ahmad Ramdan Bin M. CFS, Digital Talent
4. MDEC
Yusof Development
LIST OF RESEARCH TEAM AND SECRETARIAT
NO NAME POSITION/ ORGANISATION

Facilitator /Research Consultant,
1. Evarina Binti Amiron
Professional & Industrial Academy Sdn. Bhd.
Research Consultant,
2. Dr. Amiron Bin Ismail
Proofreader,
3. Manjit Singh
Muthmainnah Binti Documentor ,
4.
Zulkarnaen Professional & Industrial Academy Sdn. Bhd
157
ANNEX 3: PILOT STUDY SURVEY FORM
158
OCCUPATIONAL FRAMEWORK SURVEY
In collaboration with MDEC, the researcher is currently conducting research on the

Occupational Framework for the Digital Technology Industry. The main objective of
this research is to identify the jobs and job areas related to the Digital Technology
Industry in various industries. The survey findings will provide to be input for Human
Capital Development for the Digital Technology Industry in Malaysia.
We thank you for your cooperation in answering this survey. Please fill your response in
the appropriate fields in the forms attached. Following your survey submission, we seek
your permission to communicate on responses that may require further clarification. The
completed survey forms can be emailed to:
Person in Charge, Evarina Amiron: pritec_academy@yahoo.com
Name : __________________
Organisation : ___________________
Email (For future communication) : ___________________
Please indicate your response(s) in the spaces provided, additional pages may be
added if necessary.
159
Section A: Demographic Information
1. Which state does your company operate in?
No. State Tick (√ )
1. Selangor
2. Kuala Lumpur
3. Penang
4. Johor
5. Putrajaya
6. Perak
7. Sarawak
8. Melaka
9. Negeri Sembilan
10. Kedah
11. Pahang
12. Sabah
13. Terengganu
14. Kelantan
15. Perlis
16. Labuan
2. Please tick your total years of experience in managing Digital technology

activities. (May include experience in different industry sub-sector or company)
No.
Total Years of Experience In Managing Digital technology Tick (√ )
Activities
1. Less than 3 years
2. 3- 5 years
3. More than 5 years
3. Please tick your occupation position/designation in your current company.

(Note: The occupation titles are compiled based on common designations used
by various company establishments. If your current occupation title is not listed,
please specify in No.16)
No. Occupation Designation Tick (√ )
1. Associate
2. Senior Associate
3. Technical Assistant
4. Supervisor
5. Technician
160
6. Junior Executive
7. Executive
8. Senior Executive
9. Technologist
10. Senior Technologist
11. Assistant Manager
12. Manager
13. General Manager
14. Director
15. Consultant
16. Other, please specify …….
4. Please tick the designation of your direct superior for your current position.
by various company establishments. If occupation title of your immediate
reporting is not listed, please specify in No.16)
1. None
2. Senior Associate
4. Supervisor
5. Technician
6. Junior Executive
7. Executive
8. Senior Executive
9. Technologist
12. Manager
13. General Manager
14. Director
15. Consultant
161
5. Please tick the designation of your direct subordinate for your current position.
by various company establishments. If occupation title of your immediate
reporting is not listed, please specify in No.16)
1. None
2. Senior Associate
4. Supervisor
5. Technician
6. Junior Executive
7. Executive
8. Senior Executive
9. Technologist
12. Manager
13. General Manager
14. Director
15. Consultant
162
Section B: Digital Technology Industry Occupations and Job Areas
Figure 1 is a general representation of job areas under the Digital Technology Industry.
Digital
Technology
Digital
ICT
Creative
Services
Content
Games Software Big Data Industrial Informatio

Animation Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Development Development Analytics ICT n Services
Please answer the following questions based on the figure below.
1. In general, do you agree with the job areas listed in Figure 1?
Yes
No
Answer this question of your answer is No. What is your reason for not agreeing to the
job areas listed?
2. Please tick which Job Area(s) is/are your company‟s main business activities
No. Job Area Yes No
1. Animation
2. Games Development
3. Digital Technology Infrastructure
4. Software Development
5. Big Data Analytics
163
No. Job Area Yes No
6. Cybersecurity
7. Industrial ICT
8. Information Service
3. Please tick your industry sector (MSIC 2008 Section) in the space provided. You
may choose more than one sector that is relevant to your company. These sub-
sectors are according to the Malaysian Standard Industrial Classification (MSIC)
2008 section descriptions.
No MSIC Industry Sub-sector/ MSIC 2008 Section Tick (√ )

2008 Description
Section
1. A Agriculture, forestry and fishing
2. B Mining and quarrying
3. C Manufacturing
4. D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and
5. E
remediation activities
6. F Construction
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles
7. G
and motorcycles
8. H Transportation and storage
9. I Accommodation and Food service activities
10. J Information and communication
11. K Financial and insurance/takaful activities
12. L Real estate activities
13. M Professional, scientific and technical activities
14. N Administrative and support service activities
Public administration and defence; compulsory
15. O
social security
16. P Education
17. Q Human health and social work activities
18. R Arts, entertainment and recreation
19. S Other service activities
Activities of households as employers;
20. T undifferentiated goods- and services-producing
activities of households for own use
21. U Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies
164
4. Please tick which industries directly benefit from your services.

2008 Description
Section
3. C Manufacturing
5. Water supply; sewerage, waste management and
E
6. F Construction
7. G
and motorcycles
Public administration and defence; compulsory social
15. O
security
16. P Education
165
5. Please tick which areas directly benefit from your services.
No MSIC 2008 Division s (Job Areas) Tick (√ )
1 58 - Publishing Activities
This division includes the publishing of books, brochures, leaflets,
dictionaries, encyclopaedias, atlases, maps and charts;
publishing of newspapers, journals and periodicals; directory and
mailing list and other publishing, as well as software publishing.
Publishing includes the acquisition of copyrights to content
(information products) and making this content available to the
general public by engaging in (or arranging for) the reproduction
and distribution of this content in various forms. All the feasible
forms of publishing (in print, electronic or audio form, on the
internet, as multimedia products such as CD-ROM reference
books, etc.), except publishing of motion pictures, are included in
this division. This division excludes publishing of motion
pictures, videotapes and movies on DVD or similar media
(division 59) and the production of master copies for records or
audio material (division 59). Also excluded is printing (see 1811)
and the mass reproduction of recorded media (see 1820).
(DOSM, 2008)
2 59 - Motion Picture, Video And Television Programme
Production, Sound Recording And Music Publishing Activities
This division includes production of theatrical and non-theatrical
motion pictures whether on film, video tape or disc for direct
projection in theatres or for broadcasting on television;
supporting activities such as film editing, cutting, dubbing, etc.;
distribution of motion pictures and other film productions to other
industries; as well as motion picture or other film productions
projection. Also included is buying and selling of motion picture
or other film productions distribution rights is also included. This
division also includes the sound recording activities, i.e.
production of original sound master recordings, releasing,
166
promoting and distributing them, publishing of music as well as

sound recording service activities in a studio or elsewhere. It also
includes: activities such as editing, film/tape transfers, titling,
subtitling, credits, closed captioning, computer-produced
graphics, animation and special effects, developing and
processing motion picture film, activities of motion picture film
laboratories, activities of special laboratories for animated films.
(DOSM, 2008)
3 60 - Programming And Broadcasting Activities
This division includes the activities of creating content or
acquiring the right to distribute content and subsequently
broadcasting that content, such as radio, television and data
programs of entertainment, news, talk, and the like. Also
included is data broadcasting, typically integrated with radio or
TV broadcasting. The broadcasting can be performed using
different technologies, over-the-air, via satellite, via a cable
network or via internet. This division also includes the
production of programs that are typically narrowcast in nature
(limited format, such as news, sports, education, or youth-
oriented programming) on a subscription or fee basis, to a third
party, for subsequent broadcasting to the public. This division
excludes the distribution of cable and other subscription
programming (see division 61). (DOSM, 2008)
4 61 - Telecommunications
This division includes the activities of providing
telecommunications and related service activities, i.e.
transmitting voice, data, text, sound and video. The transmission
facilities that carry out these activities may be based on a single
technology or a combination of technologies. The commonality of
activities classified in this division is the transmission of content,
without being involved in its creation. The breakdown in this
167
division is based on the type of infrastructure operated. In the

case of transmission of television signals this may include the
bundling of complete programming channels (produced in
division 60) in to programmed packages for distribution. (DOSM,
2008)
5 62 - Computer Programming, Consultancy And Related

Activities
This division includes the following activities of providing
expertise in the field of information technologies such as writing,
modifying, testing and supporting software to meet the needs of a
particular customer; planning and designing computer systems
that integrate computer hardware, software and communication
technologies; on-site management and operation of clients'
computer systems and/or data processing facilities; providing
infrastructure for hosting or data processing services; and other
professional and technical computer-related activities. (DOSM,
2008)
6 63 - Information Service Activities

This division includes the activities of web search portals, data
processing and hosting activities, as well as other activities that
primarily supply information. (DOSM, 2008)
168
6. Please tick your agreement with the following statements regarding jobs in
demand.
No. Statement Regarding Digital 1 2 3 4

Technology Jobs Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
1. There will be an increase in
recruitment of digital
technology jobs in the next 5
years
2. There will be a decrease in
years
3. Digital technology job
responsibilities will be spread
across various industries in the
next 5 years
4. Digital technology jobs will
have the same job scope for
the next 5 years
Section C: Digital Technology Industry Competencies
Based on your observations, please tick the competency currently in demand and related
to your job area in the Digital technology Industry:
No. Digital Technology 1 2 3 4

Industry Competency Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
Non-Technical Skills
1. Communication skills
2. Critical thinking
3. Analytical thinking
4. Innovation
5. Problem solving
6. Technical writing
7. Interpersonal
8. Risk mitigation
9. Quality Assurance
10. Compliance
11. Strategic thinking
12. Public relations
13. Leadership
14. Social media marketing
15. Social media monitoring
16. Cognitive agility
169
17. Emotional intelligence
18. Business Intelligence
19. Regulatory intelligence
20. Self learning
21. Negotiation skills
22. Project Management
23. Creativity
24. Design Thinking
Technical Skills
1. Multimedia Content
Management
2. Technology design
3. Programming
4. Digitisation of
documentation/record
5. Multidisciplinary Skills
6. Data Analytics
7. Data Management
8. Data Extraction
9. Augmented Reality
10. Virtual Reality
11. Digital tools handling
12. Robotics
13. Computer vision
14. Machine learning
15. Data science
16. Applied mathematics
17. Risk & Security Analysis
18. Graphic Design
Please add other skills you feel are important that have not been listed above:
_______________________________________________________________
Should you have any questions or inquiries concerning completing this survey, please
contact:
Evarina Amiron: pritec_academy@yahoo.com
170
ANNEX 4: SURVEY VALIDATION FORM
171
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY OCCUPATIONAL FRAMEWORK
SURVEY: EXPERT VALIDATION FORM
Section Evaluation
Suitable Not Requires Amendment (Please state
Suitable amendment to be done)
Section A :
Demographic
Information
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Section B : Digital
Technology Industry
Occupations and Job
Areas
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Section C: Digital
Technology Industry
Competencies
Question 1
I hereby acknowledge and state my approval of the survey developed by the researcher
for the study as entitled above. The survey questions encompass the information to be
solicited via surveys with Digital technology industry practitioners.
Name :
Signature :
Designation :
Organisation :
Date :
172
ANNEX 5: REVISED SURVEY FORM
173
OCCUPATIONAL FRAMEWORK SURVEY
In collaboration with MDEC and the Department of Skills Development (Under the
Ministry of Human Resource), the researcher is currently conducting research on the
Occupational Framework for the Digital Technology Industry. The main objectives of
this research are to identify the industry sectors, jobs and job areas related to the Digital
Technology Industry in various industries. The survey findings will provide to be input
for Human Capital Development for the Digital Technology Industry in Malaysia.
We thank you for your cooperation in answering this survey. Please complete this
survey which will automatically send to us upon submission. Following your survey
submission, we seek your permission to communicate on responses that may require
further clarification, if required.
Thank you for your time and for contributing to the development of the Digital
Technology Industry workforce.
Please indicate your response(s) in the spaces provided.
Survey Respondent Demographic Information:

1. Name : __________________
2. Organisation : __________________
3. Job Designation : __________________
4. Email (For future communication) : __________________
5. Which state does your company operate in?
No. State Tick (√ )
1. Johor
2. Kedah
3. Kelantan
4. Melaka
5. Negeri Sembilan
6. Pahang
7. Pulau Pinang
8. Perak
9. Perlis
10. Sabah
11. Sarawak
12. Selangor
13. Terengganu
14. Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
15. Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan
16. Wilayah Putrajaya
174
Section A: Digital Technology Industry Occupations and Job Areas
Figure 1 is a general representation of job areas under the Digital Technology Industry.
Please answer the following questions based on the figure below.
Digital Technology
Industry
Video Digital Software Big Data Industrial Information Quality

Animation technology Cybersecurity
Games Development Analytics ICT Services Assurance
Infrastructure
Video
Pre Data Risk and Internet of Data
Game On Premise Front End
Production Engineering Compliance Things Processing
Design
Video
2D Data Managed
Game Cloud Back End VR and AR Hosting
Animation Analytics Security
technology
Production Services
Video Data
3D Game Full Stack Architectur Drone Web Portal
Animation Production e
Production Video Game Advanced
Development Robotics
Post Quality
Production Assurance System
Video Integration
Game
Visual Art Artificial
Intelligence
Figure 1: Digital Technology Industry job areas
1. In general, do you agree with the job areas listed in Figure 1?
Yes No
Please answer this question of your answer is No. What is your reason for not agreeing
to the job areas listed?
2. Please tick which Job Area(s) is/are your company‟s main business activities. You
may tick more than one.
No Job Area Tick (√)

1. Animation
2. Video Games
3. Digital Technology Infrastructure
4. Software Development
5. Big Data Analytics
175
No Job Area Tick (√)
6. Cybersecurity
7. Industrial ICT
8. Information Service
9. Others. Please state_____________________
3. Please tick which industries directly benefit from your company‟s services. You
may tick more than one.

2008 Description
Section
3. C Manufacturing
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and
5. E
6. F Construction
7. G
and motorcycles
Public administration and defence; compulsory social
15. O
security
16. P Education
176
4. Please tick which are the main areas of business for your company/organisation.
No MSIC 2008 Division s (Job Areas) (Descriptions are extracted from Tick (√ )
Malaysian Standard Industrial Classification (DOSM, 2008))
1. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 58 Group 581 Publishing of books,

periodicals and other publishing activities
2. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 58 Group 582 Software Publishing
3. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 59 Group 591 Motion picture, video and
television programme activities
4. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 59 Group 592 Sound recording and music
publishing activities
5. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 60 Group 601 Radio Broadcasting
6. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 60 Group 602 Television programming

and broadcasting activities
7. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 61 Group 611 Wired telecommunications
activities
8. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 61 Group 612 Wireless
telecommunications activities
9. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 61 Group 613 Satellite
telecommunications activities
10. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 61 Group 619 Other telecommunications
activities
11. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 62 Group 620 Computer programming,
consultancy and related activities
12. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 63 Group 631 Data processing, hosting
and related activities; web portals
13. MSIC 2008 Section J Division 63 Group 639 Other information service
activities
177
Section B: Future of Jobs in the Digital Technology Industry
Please tick your agreement with the following statements regarding jobs in demand for
the Digital Technology Industry.
No. Statement Regarding Digital 1 2 3 4 5

Technology Jobs Strongly Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly
Disagree Agree
1. There will be an increase in
years
2. Digital technology job
responsibilities will be spread
across various industries in the
next 5 years
3. There will be new job creation
for jobs under the Digital
Technology industry in the
next 5 years
Section C: Digital Technology Industry Competencies
1. Based on your company‟s nature of business, please tick the relevant non-technical
competencies.
No. Digital Technology 1 2 3 4 5

Industry Competency Highly Not Neutral Relevant Highly
Not Relevant Relevant
Relevant
1. Communication skills
2. Public relations
3. Negotiation skills
4. Critical thinking
5. Strategic thinking
6. Design Thinking
7. Creativity
8. Innovation
9. Problem solving
10. Cognitive agility
11. Self learning
12. Technical writing
13. Leadership
14. Project Management
15. Emotional intelligence
16. Business Intelligence
17. Regulatory intelligence
18. Social media marketing
178
Relevant
19. Social media monitoring
2. Based on your company‟s nature of business, please tick the relevant technical
competencies.

Relevant
1. Multimedia Content
Management
2. Technology design
3. Programming
4. Digitisation of
documentation/record
5. Multidisciplinary Skills
6. Data Analytics
7. Data Management
8. Data Extraction
9. Augmented Reality
10. Virtual Reality
11. Digital tools handling
12. Robotics
13. Computer vision
14. Machine learning
15. Risk & Security Analysis
16. Quality Assurance
Please add other skills you feel are important that have not been listed above:
Should you have any questions or inquiries concerning completing this survey, please contact:
Evarina Amiron: pritec_academy@yahoo.com
179

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RESEARCH ON THE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY

OCCUPATIONAL FRAMEWORK (OF)

JABATAN PEMBANGUNAN PERBADANAN EKONOMI DIGITAL

Department of Skills Development Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation

First Printing 2020

Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Research on the Digital Technology Industry

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.3 Mapping of Digital Technology Areas to Previous 18

3.1 Research Design 95

CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 113

4.1 Chapter Introduction 113

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 140

5.1 Chapter Introduction 140

FIGURES TITLE PAGE

Figure 2.1 Malaysian Digital Technology Industry 2017 Talent 45

TABLES TITLE PAGE

Table 1.1 Digital Technology Industry – MSIC Mapping 5

TABLES TITLE PAGE

Group 601, 602)

TABLES TITLE PAGE

Table 3.7 Number of MSC Status Company According to Clusters 106

3R 3R refers to Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic which is

1.2 Background of Research

 ICT Industry OA developed in year 2008 and 2015.

MDEC has proactively conducted research on the manpower requirements of the

No MSIC 2008 OA ICT Malaysia Digital Digital ICT Satellite

2. 59 - Motion None None None None Other content

3. 60 - None None None None Other content

Cloud / Data Systems

6. 63 - Global Core Digital Big Data Data Science ICT services

1.3 Problem Statement

1.4 Objective of Study

1.5 Research Questions

1.6 Scope of Study

The population of this research were the Digital Technology Industry

1.7 Structure of Chapters

2.2 Descriptions of the Digital Technology Industry

The following are descriptions of the Digital Technology Industry as described in

2.2.1 A Roadmap Toward a Common Framework for Measuring The Digital

ICT services‟ definition was developed by the OECD Working Party on

b) ICT enabled services

ICT-enabled services have no internationally agreed definition, except for the

c) Digitally Delivered Services

Digitally delivered services are defined in the Handbook on Measuring Digital

However, both digitally delivered services and ICT-enabled services

Digitalisation has become integral in industries and products originally

The description of ICT services by OECD (2020) closely matches that of

2.2.2 Definition of the Digital Economy Tiers

a) Digital Economy Core Measure - “Economic activity from producers

b) Digital Economy Narrow Measure - “Economic activity reliant on

c) Digital Economy, Broad measure Narrow measure “Economic

Most organisations utilise ICT such as a personal computer or email. In

This research has identified the relevant MSIC 2008 Sections to be

This definition includes digital activity that is not explicitly recorded as

2.2.3 Descriptions of MSIC 2008 Sections Related to the Digital Technology

a) 59 - Motion Picture, Video And Television Programme Production,

This division includes production of theatrical and non-theatrical motion pictures

This division includes the activities of providing telecommunications and related

c) 62 - Computer Programming, Consultancy And Related Activities

2.2.4 Labour Market Related Definitions

According to ISCO-08, the occupations are as follows (OECD, 2019a):

2.3 Mapping of Digital Technology Areas to Previous OF