Title: Big data in SMEs – findings of an empirical study

Authors: Bernd Britzelmaier; Carolin Graue; Matthias Sterk

Addresses: Pforzheim University, Tiefenbronner Street 65, 75175 Pforzheim, Germany ' TWT GmbH Science and Innovation, Ernsthaldenstr. 17, 70565 Stuttgart, Germany ' Zeppelin Systems GmbH, Graf-Zeppelin-Platz 1, 88045 Friedrichshafen, Germany

Abstract: The aim of this study is to provide an analysis of the relevance, challenges and potentials of big data analytics for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany. Big data is a comparatively young topic and the literature indicates that little research has addressed big data in SMEs in a German context. Given the lack of knowledge in this field, this paper follows a rather explorative approach. Based on literature review there is a research gap for SMEs in terms of relevance of big data analytics, of affiliated challenges and risks as well as opportunities and potentials and responsibility issues. Following a multi-perspective approach, twelve experts with various backgrounds were interviewed in order to get a holistic view of the topic. Half of them are employed in SMEs, whereas the other six experts come from external consultancies and academic institutions.

Keywords: big data analytics; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; relevance; challenges; potentials; Germany.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2020.105034

Global Business and Economics Review, 2020 Vol.22 No.1/2, pp.115 - 134

Received: 15 Dec 2017
Accepted: 05 Jul 2018
Published online: 11 Feb 2020 *

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