The Impact of Big Data on SME´s Strategic Management: A Study on a Small British Enterprise Specialized in Business Intelligence

Abstract

The present article seeks to describe how Big Data impacts on SMEs strategy, focusing both on planning and the use of strategy tools. It is a result of a participatory and practical action research in a small British Company ($2.5 Million annual turnover) specialized in business intelligence, conferences and tradeshows during 2014 to 2017. Throughout the research period, Big Data had a profound and multifaceted impact on the strategy and operations of the company, resulting in the changing of its products, adoption of new and more dynamic CRM systems, rethinking of the strategic tools utilized by the senior management and definition of new long term strategic goals. As a conclusion, it was noted that cultural predisposition to adopt Big Data technologies had a defining influence over the course of the strategic planning and operations; as the strategy for Big Data has to go beyond simply implementing technological changes – it actually has to exist before the adoption of new technologies is even considered – demanding commitment from the senior management team as well as the operational side of the business.