Human-related capabilities in big data analytics: a taxonomy of human factors with impact on firm performance

Abstract

This study intends to provide scholars and practitioners with an understanding of human resource challenges in the context of Big Data Analytics (BDA). This paper provides a holistic framework of human-related capabilities that organizations must consider when implementing BDA to facilitate decision-making. For this purpose, the authors conducted a systematic literature review adapted from Tranfield et al. (BJM 14:207–222, 2003) to identify relevant studies. The 75 publications reviewed provided the sample for an inductive, and systematic data evaluation following the well-known and accepted approach introduced by Gioia et al. (ORM 16:15–31, 2012). The comprehensive review uncovered 33 first-order concepts linked to human-related capabilities, which were distilled into 15 s-order themes and then merged into five aggregated dimensions: Personnel Capability, Management Capability, Organizational Capability, Culture and Governance Capability, and Strategy and Planning Capability. The study is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first to categorize all relevant human-related capabilities for successful BDA application. As such, it not only provides the scientific basis for further research, but also serves as a useful overview of the critical factors for BDA use in decision-making processes.

The Impact of Big Data Management Capabilities on the Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Asian Economy During COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Organizational Agility and Moderating Role of Information Technology Capability

“…According to Vaio et al (2021) , data architectures are required to be agile, so they could quickly adapt when changes occur in the organizational structures. Given the big data management complexity, machinery does not seem to be sufficient in this regard and requires professional training or hiring of professionals to perform such tasks ( Korherr and Kanbach, 2021 ). Scientists, engineers, and BDA must be proficient in models which are based on the paradigm of artificial intelligence, such as schema-less data retrieval, Not Only SQL (NoSQL) data models, R, Hadoop, and R ( Zhang and Lam, 2019 ).…”

“…Therefore, big data analytic capabilities must be developed by the organizations for selecting relevant information and then processing it to take decisions based on this information. Organizational BDA capabilities refer to a set of capabilities involving personnel capabilities, infrastructure flexibility, and the management capabilities ( Korherr and Kanbach, 2021 ). Promoting BDA capabilities bring about various outcomes.…”

“…Gangwar (2018) also emphasized the role of BDA in improving the organization’s internal processes and operations, such as, its efficiency. In Korherr and Kanbach (2021) study, they analyzed ways through which BDA capabilities influence the organization’s dynamic capabilities. Thus, through its impact on the organization’s adaptability and capability, the big data influences the performance of an organization.…”

“…Thus, through its impact on the organization’s adaptability and capability, the big data influences the performance of an organization. The key beneficiary of BDA and big data is the large organizations since they are usually in a good position to easily adopt and process it ( Korherr and Kanbach, 2021 ). Although the literature provides evidence concerning BDA and its effects, still there is an existing gap in the literature.…”

“…It is only recently that scholars have started realizing the significance of BDA and are trying to develop understanding of the relationships between organizational performance and BDA development. At the same time, research in this area is mostly qualitative and theoretical and is still at the infancy stage in context to qualitative research ( Korherr and Kanbach, 2021 ; Vaio et al, 2021 ). Therefore, it clearly gives rise to the demand for more research especially the investigation of those areas or traits that are greatly influenced by the organization’s BDA capabilities, and how performance is affected by these capabilities.…”