Examining the adoption of Big data analytics in supply chain management under competitive pressure: evidence from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Grounded in the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework, this study identifies the main factors affecting the intention to adopt Big Data Analytics (BDA) in supply chain management (SCM) for firms based in Saudi Arabia. This study focuses on identifying and analysing the role of competitive pressure as a contextual variable that can moderate the effects of these factors on the adoption intention. A survey of 220 IT managers revealed that compatibility, relative advantage, and top management support are positively perceived factors as they foster the firms’ intentions to adopt BDA in SCM. Their effects on intentions were positively moderated by competitive pressure as a contextual variable. However, BDA complexity and organisational readiness were not supported as influencing firms’ intentions to adopt BDA. The statistical analyses also indicated that the effects of complexity and organisational readiness on intentions are not significantly moderated by competitive pressure. This study contributes to the literature by emphasising the interaction between TOE factors, instead of considering them separately. It also offers guidance to managers aiming to adopt and use BDA in SCM.