Big data analytics (BDA) and degree of internationalization: the interplay between governance of BDA infrastructure and BDA capabilities

Abstract

In order to face the challenges of internationalization and to cope more efficiently with the uncertainty of foreign expansion, firms are called to analyze an increasing amount of real-time semi-structured and unstructured datasets. In this sense, big data analytics (BDA) can become strategic in stimulating the international growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, the specific relationship between BDA and internationalization has been analyzed fragmentarily within the mainstream literature. With the purpose of shedding light on this relationship, the authors drew on resource-based view (RBV) and collected data through a questionnaire directed to CEOs of 266 SMEs, receiving 103 responses. A quantitative analysis based on an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression showed that the relationship between governance of BDA infrastructure and the degree of internationalization (DOI) is not significant, while the direct effect of BDA capabilities as well as the interaction term between BDA infrastructure and BDA capabilities are positive and significant. This suggests that the governance of BDA per se is not enough for enhancing internationalization in SMEs. On the contrary, this article points out the relevance of developing specific BDA capabilities and the existence of a positive interplay between governance of BDA infrastructure and BDA capabilities that can exploit the new knowledge coming from BDA in SME international growth.

Introduction to the Special Issue: “The age of digital internationalization—Strategic capabilities, cultural distance and customer value”

“…The paper by Bertello et al (2021) examines how big data analytics can assume strategic importance when it comes to promote small and medium-sized firms' international growth paths. By means of a questionnaire administered to the CEOs of 266 SMEs in Italy, Bertello et al collected an array of data.…”

“…In this figure, according to their respective content and aim, we have also succeeded in positioning all the seven papers in this issue. Three of them (Bertello et al, 2021;Martinelli et al, 2021;and Moi & Cabiddu, 2021) are located in the strategic capabilities quadrant, two (Mariani & Matarazzo, 2021;Bergamaschi et al, 2021) are situated in the cultural distance section and finally the remaining two (Mazzucchelli et al, 2021;Penco et al, 2021) are inserted in the customer value orientation segment. Beyond the real and concrete positioning, we have reasons to believe that this interpretation of ours bears a symbolic and evocative character.…”

A systematic literature review towards a conceptual framework for enablers and barriers of an enterprise data science strategy

“…To establish close connections and harmonization with partners there needs to be balanced and controlled sharing of data (Coombs et al 2020 ; Sivarajah et al 2017 ). There exists a positive interplay between governance of BDA infrastructure and BDA capabilities (Bertello et al 2020 ).…”

An innovative big data framework for exploring the impact on decision-making in the European Mediterranean healthcare sector

“…, 2019). As big data are continuously increasing, institutions need these data processed rapidly and accurately for their potential key role in making strategic decisions (Bertello et al. , 2021).…”

“…There needs to be a serious development of techniques to handle this momentous amount of unstructured healthcare data (Dash et al, 2019). As big data are continuously increasing, institutions need these data processed rapidly and accurately for their potential key role in making strategic decisions (Bertello et al, 2021).…”