The Integration of Sustainable Technology and Big Data Analytics in Saudi Arabian SMEs: A Path to Improved Business Performance

Abstract

Big data analytics technology offers significant opportunities for innovation and performance improvement for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in competitive environments. However, reaping these benefits requires the adoption of such technologies by SMEs. This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption of big data and analytics in Saudi Arabian SMEs in the service and manufacturing sectors, with a particular focus on the role of facilitating sustainable technology in enabling sustainable business performance. Data were collected from managers of SMEs in Saudi Arabia using a quantitative method. The proposed hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 4.0. The findings reveal that big data security and management support significantly influence the perceived ease of use and usefulness of big data analytics in SMEs. Perceived ease of use significantly influences the adoption of big data analytics. Furthermore, facilitating sustainable technology was a significant predictor of sustainable business performance. Additionally, the study revealed that the adoption of big data analytics significantly influenced business performance. The insights obtained from this study can be useful for the service and manufacturing industries operating in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding the key influencing factor of perceived ease of use that determines the adoption of big data analytics in the Saudi Arabian SME market.