Impacts of big data analytics management capabilities and supply chain integration on global sourcing: a survey on firm performance

Purpose This study aims to show that management with big data analytics capability can achieve more advantages of the global sourcing process. Furthermore, this study using its conceptual attitude model aims to show that big data analytics management capability leads to an increase in firm performance by the mediating role of integration. Design/methodology/approach Using an online questionnaire, 158 managers from 13 Iranian companies taking advantage of the global sourcing process were surveyed. The validity of the hypotheses was evaluated using partial least squares based on structural equation modeling (PLS method). Findings The results of the study showed that big data analytics management capability has a positive impact on global sourcing and firm performance directly, and by the mediating role of integration. Originality/value Previous studies have carefully addressed the role of big data and big data analytics in firms. However, this is among a few studies addressing the role of big data analytics capability, especially management capability, in improving firms’ performance. The results of this study shed light on the fact that how global sourcing takes the best advantage of big data analytics management capability for better accomplishment of organizations’ duties. The results of this study also disclose how big data analytics management capability helps organizations with their performance and bring benefits to their units.