From Big Data Analytics to Organizational Agility The Role of Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Study of Manufacturing Firms

In the age of digitalization, big data analytics capabilities have emerged as one of the most critical organizational resources. Many organizations make considerable investments in these resources with an intention to improve their agility. However, the mechanism to reap agility from big data analytics still requires extensive empirical research and analysis. This study extends the prior models of big data analytics by examining the mediating effects of entrepreneurial orientation in the relationship between big data analytics capability and organizational agility. Using Partial Least Squares-Structured Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the responses collected from 104 firms in Jordan were modelled and analyzed. Results demonstrate that entrepreneurial orientation explains the relationship between big data analytics capabilities and agility. This finding contributes to the management literature by demonstrating how big data analytics capabilities may enhance firm entrepreneurial orientation. Rather than conceptualizing the entrepreneurial orientation of the firm as a static characteristic, we argue that the big data analytic capabilities play a key role in developing organizational agility through its role in improving entrepreneurial orientation, which subsequently creates value for firms, their customers and the other stakeholders.