Antecedents of big data analytics (BDA) adoption in private firms: a sequential explanatory approach

• Published in: Foresight (Cambridge) Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 805 - 843
• Main Authors: Waqar, Javaria, Paracha, Osman Sadiq
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 09-10-2024; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Big Data; Business competition; Competition; Competitive advantage; Data analysis; Developing countries; Economic growth; Electronic commerce; Grounded theory; Information technology; LDCs; Mathematical models; Private sector; Product development; Public policy; Qualitative analysis; Service industries; Structural equation modeling; Technology adoption; Pakistan; Top management support; Diffusion of innovation theory; Private firms; Big data analytics; Technology–organization–environment; Sequential explanatory approach; PLS-SEM
• ISSN: 1463-6689; 1463-6689; 1465-9832
• DOI: 10.1108/FS-10-2022-0114

Purpose
This study aims to examine the key antecedents influencing the private firm’s intention to adopt big data analytics (BDA) in developing economies. To do so, the study follows the sequential explanatory approach.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the hypothesized model that draws on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework paired with the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, a purposive sampling technique was applied to gather data from 156 IT and management domain experts from the private firms that intend to adopt BDA and operate in Pakistan’s service industry, including telecommunication, information technology, agriculture, and e-commerce. The data were analysed using the partial least squares structural equations modelling (PLS-SEM) technique and complemented with qualitative analysis of 10 semi-structured interviews in NVIVO 12 based on grounded theory.
Findings
The empirical findings revealed that the two constructs – perceived benefits and top management support – are the powerful drivers of a firm’s intention to adopt BDA in the private sector, whereas IT infrastructure, data quality, technological complexity and financial readiness, along with the moderators, BDA adoption of competitors and government policy and regulation, do not significantly influence the intention. In addition, the qualitative analysis validates and further complements the SEM findings.
Originality/value
Unlike the previous studies on technology adoption, this study proposed a unique research model with contextualized indicators to measure the constructs relevant to private firms, based on the TOE framework and DOI theory, to investigate the causal relationship between drivers and intention. Furthermore, the findings of PLS-SEM were complemented by qualitative analysis to validate the causation. The findings of this study have both theoretical and practical implications.