Digital transformation in SMEs: Assessing the impact of big data capabilities on project success, business continuity, and sustainability

Abstract

During the innovation era and in the highly competitive environment, big data capabilities (BDCs) play a pivotal role in shaping competitive dynamics; the influence of these technologies on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the retail sector is critically significant. This study is specifically focused on the retail industry, with a particular emphasis on how BDCs impact the project success, business continuity, and sustainability of SMEs within this industry. Our theoretical model was tested using a survey of 300 operations managers working in SMEs in the retail sector in the Middle East. PLS-SEM was conducted to analyze our collected data. Our results reveal that BDCs enhance project success and promote sustainability practices. The findings also reveal that BDCs have no impact on business continuity. By shedding light on the nuanced impact of BDCs on SMEs in the retail sector, this study contributes valuable insights to the existing literature, offering a deeper understanding of how these technological capabilities can drive success and sustainability in a highly competitive market environment.