Determinants of big data analytics adoption in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Abstract

PurposeThe study challenges the assumption of independence among Technological, Organizational and Environmental (TOE) factors and investigates the influence of TOE factors on Big Data Analytics (BDA) adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Top management support was proposed as a mediator between technological and organizational factors and BDA adoption. Furthermore, the moderating effect of environmental factors on the association between relative advantage, compatibility, competitiveness, organizational readiness and BDA adoption was evaluated.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 171 SME manufacturing firms and analyzed using the partial least squares technique.FindingsThe findings confirmed the interrelationships among the TOE factors. The effects of compatibility, competitiveness and organizational readiness on BDA adoption were mediated by top management support. Furthermore, environmental factors moderate the influences of compatibility and organizational readiness on top management support.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to the TOE model by challenging the assumption of independence among TOE factors, and future studies should use this model with more caution and consider the potential relationships between TOE factors.