Managing barriers for the big data analytics implementation through collaboration: an empirical research

Prior studies have highlighted several barriers to adopting emergent technologies; however, little is known about how collaboration mitigates those barriers and promotes new technologies. This study analyses the process of adoption of big data analytics (BDA) in a large cold-food distributor and the role of collaboration toward this progress. An inductive approach analyses a single case study. Concerned about reliability, 120 hours of observation, six interviews with managers and consultants, and documents and reports of the company have been triangulated. The findings highlight a set of internal barriers (e.g., complexity, infrastructure readiness, lack of skills, privacy issues and cultural barriers), external pressure and collaborative efforts with an IT consulting group along with the BDA implementation. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the collaboration with key partners as an asset that mitigates internal barriers and external pressures toward emergent technologies adoption. Finally, implementing a BDA solution can provide useful information for managers making decisions effectively, leading to improved processes, higher quality, reduced costs, and creating value for customers.