Welcome to the ICTBM-17 jointly organized by CFD-Dubai INFOMS. The previous conferences have been hosted by AUE, SIOM, SZABIST, Loyola Marymount University, Al Ghurair University, IMT-Dubai, Assumption University, IIM Indore, Hanyang University, University of Western Sydney, Nirma Institute of Management and National Cheng Kung University. The purpose of ICTBM is to provide a forum that stimulates discussion on the conference theme and topics related with the theme. The conference will also provide opportunities for networking and collaboration amongst scholars from academia, industry and government. In addition to papers on the conference theme, the scholars are also encouraged to submit papers on any aspect of management and technology such as accounting, marketing, finance, OB, HRM, MIS, quantitative methods, technology management, energy, operations, economics, entrepreneurship, etc.