Factors Associated with Implementation of Business Intelligence among Lebanese SMEs

Abstract

Business Intelligence (BI) provides leverage to businesses by improving decision-making concerning the future in an industry or aspects of resources planning. Because of its valuable benefits, many organizations attempt to implement BI reap the gains. However, many factors determine the success of its implemetaion in business. Most of these factors relate to the organizational culture and the readiness of the employees to use it appropriately to serve its purpose. This study used decriptive observational design of a quantitative nature to explore the level of adoption of BI among 56 Lebanese SMEs as well as the perspectives of both the employees and the senior management on the adoption of BI in the business. The data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS software specifically measuring the nature and types of correlation among the business variables and the level of success of BI implementation in the SMEs. The tests were done using Spearman's rho correlation coefficients. The results show that quality of BI infrastructure, positive attitude among senior employees and junior workers alike toward adoption of BI, and the setting of suitable environment to implement BI are essential for success. Also, junior workers show more support for BI than the senior management. Therefore, a change of organizational culture among the senior employees is recommended to facilitate BI adoption success in the SMEs. Business Intelligence (BI) provides leverage to businesses by improving decision-making concerning the future in an industry or aspects of resources planning. Because of its valuable benefits, many organizations attempt to implement BI reap the gains. However, many factors determine the success of its implementation in business. Most of these factors relate to the organizational culture and the readiness of the employees to use it appropriately to serve its purposes. This study used descriptive observational design of a quantitative nature to explore the level of adoption of BI among 56 Lebanese SMEs as well as the perspectives of both the employees and the senior management on the adoption of BI in the business. The data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using the SPSS software specifically measuring the nature and types of correlation among the business variables and the level of success of BI implementation in the SMEs. The tests were done using Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients. The results show that quality BI infrastructure, positive attitude among senior employees and junior workers alike toward adoption of BI, and the setting of suitable environment to implement BI are essential for success. Also, junior workers show more support for BI than the senior management. Therefore, a change of organizational culture among the senior employees is recommended to facilitate BI adoption success in the SMEs.