Dave Snowden on KM and big data/analytics: interview with David J. Pauleen

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Pauleen

Purpose Dave Snowden has been an important voice in knowledge management over the years. As the founder and chief scientific officer of Cognitive Edge, a company focused on the development of the theory and practice of social complexity, he offers informative views on the relationship between big data/analytics and KM. Design/methodology/approach A face-to-face interview was held with Dave Snowden in May 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. Findings According to Snowden, analytics in the form of algorithms are imperfect and can only to a small extent capture the reasoning and analytical capabilities of people. For this reason, while big data/analytics can be useful, they are limited and must be used in conjunction with human knowledge and reasoning. Practical implications Snowden offers his views on big data/analytics and how they can be used effectively in real world situations in combination with human reasoning and input, for example in fields from resource management to individual health care. Originality/value Snowden is an innovative thinker. He combines knowledge and experience from many fields and offers original views and understanding of big data/analytics, knowledge and management.

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 33-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kar Hooi Tan

Purpose Although published research is limited to big data, some research focuses on the challenges that companies face in implementing big data projects. Specifically, in the field of information systems, researchers realize that the success of Big Data projects is not only the result of data and analytics tools and processes, but also includes broader aspects. To address this issue, people have come up with a perception of big data analytics capabilities, often defined as the ability of businesses to take advantage of data management, infrastructure, and talent to turn business into competencies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The relationship between analytics and organizational performance has been the subject of the extant research. Prior studies have highlighted the direct influence of analytics on organizational performance. For example, big data analytics capabilities are significantly correlated with market performance and operational performance. The mechanisms through which analytics affect organizations were also examined from various perspectives. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofeng Su ◽  
Weipeng Zeng ◽  
Manhua Zheng ◽  
Xiaoli Jiang ◽  
Wenhe Lin ◽  
...  

PurposeFollowing the rapid expansion of data volume, velocity and variety, techniques and technologies, big data analytics have achieved substantial development and a surge of companies make investments in big data. Academics and practitioners have been considering the mechanism through which big data analytics capabilities can transform into their improved organizational performance. This paper aims to examine how big data analytics capabilities influence organizational performance through the mediating role of dual innovations.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the resource-based view and recent literature on big data analytics, this paper aims to examine the direct effects of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on organizational performance, as well as the mediating role of dual innovations on the relationship between (BDAC) and organizational performance. The study extends existing research by making a distinction of BDACs' effect on their outcomes and proposing that BDACs help organizations to generate insights that can help strengthen their dual innovations, which in turn have a positive impact on organizational performance. To test our proposed research model, this study conducts empirical analysis based on questionnaire-base survey data collected from 309 respondents working in Chinese manufacturing firms.FindingsThe results support the proposed hypotheses regarding the direct and indirect effect that BDACs have on organizational performance. Specifically, this paper finds that dual innovations positively mediate BDACs' effect on organizational performance.Originality/valueThe conclusions on the relationship between big data analytics capabilities and organizational performance in previous research are controversial due to lack of theoretical foundation and empirical testing. This study resolves the issue by provides empirical analysis, which makes the research conclusions more scientific and credible. In addition, previous literature mainly focused on BDACs' direct impact on organizational performance without making a distinction of BDAC's three dimensions. This study contributes to the literature by thoroughly introducing the notions of BDAC's three core constituents and fully analyzing their relationships with organizational performance. What's more, empirical research on the mechanism of big data analytics' influence on organizational performance is still at a rudimentary stage. The authors address this critical gap by exploring the mediation of dual innovations in the relationship through survey-based research. The research conclusions of this paper provide new perspective for understanding the impact of big data analytics capabilities on organizational performance, and enrich the theoretical research connotation of big data analysis capabilities and dual innovation behavior.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Fosso Wamba ◽  
Shahriar Akter ◽  
Marc de Bourmont

Purpose Big data analytics (BDA) gets all the attention these days, but as important—and perhaps even more important—is big data analytics quality (BDAQ). Although many companies realize a full return from BDA, others clearly struggle. It appears that quality dynamics and their holistic impact on firm performance are unresolved in data economy. The purpose of this paper is to draw on the resource-based view and information systems quality to develop a BDAQ model and measure its impact on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The study uses an online survey to collect data from 150 panel members in France from a leading market research firm. The participants in the study were business analysts and IT managers with analytics experience. Findings The study confirms that perceived technology, talent and information quality are significant determinants of BDAQ. It also identifies that alignment between analytics quality and firm strategy moderates the relationship between BDAQ and firm performance. Practical implications The findings inform practitioners that BDAQ is a hierarchical, multi-dimensional and context-specific model. Originality/value The study advances theoretical understanding of the relationship between BDAQ and firm performance under the influence of firm strategy alignment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Maroufkhani ◽  
Wan Khairuzzaman Wan Ismail ◽  
Morteza Ghobakhloo

Purpose Big data analytics (BDA) is recognized as a turning point for firms to improve their performance. Although small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for every economy, they are lagging far behind in the usage of BDA. This study aims to provide a single and unified model for the adoption of BDA among SMEs with the integration of the technology–organization–environment (TOE) model and resource-based view. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 112 manufacturing SMEs in Iran was conducted, and the data were analysed using structural equation modelling to test the model of this study. Findings The results offer evidence of a BDA mediation effect in the relationship between technological, organizational and environmental contexts, and SMEs performance. The findings also demonstrated that technological and organizational elements are the more significant determinants of BDA adoption in the context of SMEs. In addition, the result of this study confirmed that BDA adoption could enhance the financial and market performance of SMEs. Practical implications Providing a single unified framework of BDA adoption for SMEs enables them to appreciate the importance of most influential elements (technology, organization and environment) in the adoption of BDA. Also, this study may encourage SMEs to be more willing to use BDA in their businesses. Originality/value Although there are studies on BDA adoption and firm performance among large companies, there is a lack of empirical research on SMEs, in particular, based on the TOE model. SMEs differ from large companies in terms of the availability of resources and size. Therefore, this study aimed to initiate a conceptual framework of BDA adoption for SMEs to assist them to be able to take advantage of the adoption of such technology.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1091-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Rialti ◽  
Giacomo Marzi ◽  
Mario Silic ◽  
Cristiano Ciappei

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of big data analytics-capable business process management systems (BDA-capable BPMS) on ambidextrous organizations’ agility. In particular, how the functionalities of BDA-capable BPMS may improve organizational dynamism and reactiveness to challenges of Big Data era will be explored. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical analysis of the potential of BDA-capable BPMS in increasing organizational agility, with particular attention to the ambidextrous organizations, has been performed. A conceptual framework was subsequently developed. Next, the proposed conceptual framework was applied in a real-world context. Findings The research proposes a framework highlighting the importance of BDA-capable BPMS in increasing ambidextrous organizations’ agility. Moreover, the authors apply the framework to the cases of consumer-goods companies that have included BDA in their processes management. Research limitations/implications The principal limitations are linked to the need to validate quantitatively the proposed framework. Practical implications The value of the proposed framework is related to its potential in helping managers to fully understand and exploit the potentiality of BDA-capable BPMS. Moreover, the implications show some guidelines to ease the implementation of such systems within ambidextrous organizations. Originality/value The research offers a model to interpret the effects of BDA-capable BPMS on ambidextrous organizations’ agility. In this way, the research addresses a significant gap by exploring the importance of information systems for ambidextrous organizations’ agility.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Pauleen

Purpose Larry Prusak and Tom Davenport have long been leading voices in the knowledge management (KM) field. This interview aims to explore their views on the relationship between KM and big data/analytics. Design/methodology/approach An interview was conducted by email with Larry Prusak and Tom Davenport in 2015 and updated in 2016. Findings Prusak and Davenport hold differing views on the role of KM today. They also see the relationship between KM and big data/analytics somewhat differently. Davenport, in particular, has much to say on how big data/analytics can be best utilized by business as well as its potential risks. Originality/value It is important to understand how two of the most serious KM thinkers since the early years of KM understand the relationship between big data/analytics, KM and organizations. Their views can help shape thinking in these fields.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 767-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciel Manoel Queiroz ◽  
Renato Telles

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to recognise the current state of big data analytics (BDA) on different organisational and supply chain management (SCM) levels in Brazilian firms. Specifically, the paper focuses on understanding BDA awareness in Brazilian firms and proposes a framework to analyse firms’ maturity in implementing BDA projects in logistics/SCM. Design/methodology/approach A survey on SCM levels of 1,000 firms was conducted via questionnaires. Of the 272 questionnaires received, 155 were considered valid, representing a 15.5 per cent response rate. Findings The knowledge of Brazilian firms regarding BDA, the difficulties and barriers to BDA project adoption, and the relationship between supply chain levels and BDA knowledge were identified. A framework was proposed for the adoption of BDA projects in SCM. Research limitations/implications This study does not offer external validity due to restrictions for the generalisation of the results even in the Brazilian context, which stems from the conducted sampling. Future studies should improve the comprehension in this research field and focus on the impact of big data on supply chains or networks in emerging world regions, such as Latin America. Practical implications This paper provides insights for practitioners to develop activities involving big data and SCM, and proposes functional and consistent guidance through the BDA-SCM triangle framework as an additional tool in the implementation of BDA projects in the SCM context. Originality/value This study is the first to analyse BDA on different organisational and SCM levels in emerging countries, offering instrumentalisation for BDA-SCM projects.


Author(s):  
Sajjad Shokouhyar ◽  
Mohammad Reza Seddigh ◽  
Farhad Panahifar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model to explain the impact of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on company’s supply chain sustainability (CSCS). The secondary objective of the study is to assess the relationship between different dimensions of supply chain sustainability and companies’ BDAC. Design/methodology/approach This research was carried out by conducting a survey among 234 pharmaceutical companies in Iran (a case study of Iran), using a standard questionnaire of BDAC and United Nations (UN) online self-assessment on supply chain sustainability. However, the respond of managers of 188 companies were usable in this research. Smart PLS3 was used to employ partial least squares method to examine the validity and reliability of the measurement and structural model. Findings The results of this study demonstrate that BDAC have a strong impact on both pharmaceutical supply chain sustainability, and the dimensions including vision, engage and internal. It is found that the relationships between BDAC and the other dimensions of supply chain sustainability including expect, scope and goals are not significant but positive. Research limitations/implications Research on the relationship between BDAC and CSCS, especially in the pharmaceutical supply chain, is scanty, and this gap is highlighted in developing countries and the pharmaceutical supply chain that plays a prominent role in public health. This paper discusses several important barriers to forming a sustainable supply chain and strong BDA capabilities. Practical implications This paper could be a guide to managers and consultants who are involved in big data analytics and sustainable development. Since UN urges companies do the online self-assessment, the results of this paper would be attractive and useful for UN global compact specialists. Originality/value No study has directly measured the relation between BDAC and CSCS and different dimensions of CSCS, using a comprehensive survey throughout all pharmaceutical companies in Iran. Moreover, this research assesses the different dimensions of BDA capabilities and supply chain sustainability. This paper represents the facts about situation of sustainability of pharmaceutical supply chain and BDAC in these companies, and discloses several related issues that are serious barriers to forming a sustainable supply chain and strong BDAC. In addition, this paper provided academic support for UN questionnaire about CSCS and used it in the survey.


2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 2124-2147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmood Khan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the challenges associated with big data analytics (BDA) in service supply chains in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive questionnaire has been developed based on semi-structured interviews with different administrators and IT experts. In the second phase, data (n=164) are collected from procurement, operations, administration and customer service staff in the UAE. In the third phase, responses are examined using principal component analysis to identify eight major challenges for big data. A structural model is developed to examine the significance of these dimensions to the notion of big data challenges in supply chains. Findings The statistical model shows 66 percent variance of response to BDA, which is caused by technical, cultural, ethical, operational, tactical, procedural, functional and organizational challenges. These are positively correlated measurement challenges with BDA in service supply chains. Research limitations/implications Service supply chain professionals and stakeholders believe that catering to the challenges with BDA must be a multi-faceted approach and not limited to specific practices. Practical implications The challenges with BDA should be taken into planning and implementation from a holistic perspective. The framework in this paper can have both theoretical and practical implications. Originality/value The contribution of this paper is to advance the understanding of BDA in service sector by viewing it from the perspective of different stakeholders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Pauleen ◽  
William Y.C. Wang

Purpose This viewpoint study aims to make the case that the field of knowledge management (KM) must respond to the significant changes that big data/analytics is bringing to operationalizing the production of organizational data and information. Design/methodology/approach This study expresses the opinions of the guest editors of “Does Big Data Mean Big Knowledge? Knowledge Management Perspectives on Big Data and Analytics”. Findings A Big Data/Analytics-Knowledge Management (BDA-KM) model is proposed that illustrates the centrality of knowledge as the guiding principle in the use of big data/analytics in organizations. Research limitations/implications This is an opinion piece, and the proposed model still needs to be empirically verified. Practical implications It is suggested that academics and practitioners in KM must be capable of controlling the application of big data/analytics, and calls for further research investigating how KM can conceptually and operationally use and integrate big data/analytics to foster organizational knowledge for better decision-making and organizational value creation. Originality/value The BDA-KM model is one of the early models placing knowledge as the primary consideration in the successful organizational use of big data/analytics.


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