Impact of Business Intelligence Solutions on Export Performance of Software Firms in Emerging Economies

Abstract

The article is written with the aim of understanding how well software firms in emerging economies perform when exporting their goods. Focusing on Paraguay as a representative context, a multiple-case-study research design was adopted using different sources of evidence, including 15 in-depth interviews with founders, shareholders, and CEOs. The data were analyzed using grounded theory in order to develop patterns and categories, and to understand differences and regularities. The revised Uppsala internationalization process model was used as a theoretical framework. This article highlights the experts’ views of the impact of business intelligence on the export performance of software firms in Paraguay. Al- though only a few of the interviewees currently use business intelligence solutions to sup- port international strategic decision-making processes, most of them reveal a desire to use them because they expect it will have a positive impact on export performance and international competitiveness. The main factors for selecting a business intelligence solution are transparency of cost and benefits, excellent client service, and an attractive pricing model. The study results apply to all stakeholders who support the impact of business intelligence systems on the export performance of software firms in emerging economies. The article fulfills an identified need and call for research to study the use and impact of business intelligence on the way an emerging country’s exportation of goods actually performs, and the ability of its software firms to globalize successfully.