The rise of marketing technologies (MarTech) has significantly altered how organisations approach customer engagement, decision-making, and capability development. However, the effectiveness of MarTech adoption often hinges not on the technology itself but on how well it aligns with an organisation’s strategic objectives. This conceptual paper explores the pathway through which MarTech enhances marketing capability, with strategic decision-making positioned as a mediating mechanism. Drawing on the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the proposed framework explains how firms can convert technological inputs into competitive marketing capabilities. Real-world cases from Malaysian service firms, SMEs, and manufacturing sectors illustrate how strategic alignment determines the impact of MarTech on decision speed, customer analytics, and campaign optimisation. The paper contributes to emerging MarTech literature by clarifying the conditions under which technology investment translates into tangible marketing outcomes. It also offers practical insights for firms aiming to align their digital transformation strategies with performance-oriented marketing capabilities.
