Abstract

۱٫ Introduction

۲٫ Literature Review

۳٫ Research Methodology

۴٫ Study Results

۵٫ Conclusion

References

Abstract

     Big Data as Service (BDaaS) provides an alternative solution to overcome the challenges when a business embarks on adopting and implementing a big data strategy. Although BDaaS provides a viable alternative for SMMEs, there is limited research on the specific factors that affect the adoption of BDaaS in SMMEs. The study aims to explore the factors that affect the adoption of BDaaS in SMMEs. The study adopted the TOE framework as the lens to explore the technological, organizational, and environmental factors affecting the adoption of BDaaS in SMEs. The study results indicate that SMMEs need to consider technological, organizational, and environmental factors when adopting BDaaS. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on factors that affect the adoption of BDaaS in SMEs based on the study results. Despite the limitation of the study of not being empirical (used secondary data), the study contributes to the body of knowledge on factors affecting the adoption of BDaaS in SMEs. In addition, the study may stimulate further research on factors that affect the adoption of BDaaS in SMEs using other research methods.

Introduction

     The concept of digital transformation is generally related to the desire to leverage new technologies to gain and sustain a competitive advantage in a digital age, where products and services are required to be delivered both online and offline [1]. The digital transformation implemented successfully requires not only the acquisition and deployment of technological resources, but it is a managerial aspect too including matters such as the re-design of processes in the business, training, and investing in resources such as organizational capabilities and human resources [2]. Due to businesses’ newly discovered asset, big data, businesses now build their transformation models focusing on leveraging the organization’s big data. Through the adoption of Big Data, SMMEs can generate value from their data insights and as a result, gain significant competitive advantage, generate increased profits, and increased operational efficiency. Big Data as Service provides an alternative solution to overcome the challenges when a business embarks on adopting and implementing a big data strategy. BDaaS vendors utilize cloud platform solutions to provide to businesses for cost-cutting and efficiency in managing the business’ big data [3]. The study explores factors affecting the adoption of Big Data as a Service in SMEs. The structure of the rest of the paper is as follows: Section 2 Literature Review, Section 3 Research Methodology, Section 4 Study Results, and Section 5 Conclusion.

Conclusion

     This research study conducted a systematic review of the literature to explore and conceptualize BDaaS factors affecting adoption in SMMEs. The research objectives were to explore factors affecting the adoption of BDaaS in SMMEs. The results show a decrease and an increase of published of articles on the factors affecting BDaaS adoption in SMMEs during period under-review. The European region had the highest number of published articles on the factors affecting BDaaS adoption in SMMEs. The qualitative research method was the most used method on reviewed published articles during period under-review. The study results revealed the most of the technological factors (security/privacy concerns, complexities, costs, and resources) affect BDaaS adoption in SMMEs. The study results indicate that organizational factors (organizational readiness, employee knowledge, financial costs, and infrastructure) affect BDaaS adoption in SMMEs. Lastly, the study results show that three environmental factors (legislation, vendor capabilities, and competition) affect BDaaS adoption in SMMEs.