The significance of big data in the success of SMES in emerging markets: A case of South Africa

Lawrance Seseni, Charles Mbohwa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how SMEs in emerging markets can benefit from the use of big data and to look at challenges that SMEs encounter when using big data. SMEs play a critical role in growing the economy of developing, emerging, and also developed countries. In South Africa, SMEs account for 98.5% of the total businesses. This study is exploratory and adopted a desk-review approach where journal articles and government reports were reviewed. It was found that SMEs that use big data are more profitable, productive, and innovative. SMEs find it difficult to use big data tools and technologies. This study recommends that institutions of higher learning should introduce short learning programs or continuous education programs to train SMEs on how to use big data tools and technologies. The government should provide both financial and non-financial support to SMEs so that they are able to use advanced technologies and compete with big corporations. Future studies should look at refining big data tools and technologies for SMEs to provide them with technologies and tools that they can easily use.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2021
PublisherIEOM Society
Pages1986-1996
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)9781792361241
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event11th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, IEOM 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 7 Mar 202111 Mar 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management
ISSN (Electronic)2169-8767

Conference

Conference11th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, IEOM 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period7/03/2111/03/21

Keywords

  • Big Data
  • Decision-making
  • Productivity
  • Profitability
  • SMEs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Strategy and Management
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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