Big data analytics: from leadership to firm performance

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a research model with eight constructs, i.e. BDA leadership, BDA talent quality, BDA security quality, BDA privacy quality, innovation, financial performance, market performance and customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe research model focuses on whether (1) Big Data Analytics (BDA) leadership influences BDA talent quality, (2) BDA talent quality influences BDA security quality, (3) BDA talent quality influences BDA privacy quality, (4) BDA talent quality influences Innovation and (5) innovation influences a firm's performance (financial, market and customer satisfaction). An instrument was designed and administered electronically to a diverse set of employees (N = 188) in various organizations in the USA. Collected data were analyzed through a partial least square structural equation modeling.FindingsResults showed that leadership significantly and positively affects BDA talent quality, which, in turn, significantly and positively impacts security quality, privacy quality and innovation. Moreover, innovation significantly and positively impacts firm performance. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. Recommendations for future research are provided.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical evidence that leadership significantly and positively impacts BDA talent quality. BDA talent quality, in turn, positively impacts security quality, privacy quality and innovation. This is important, as these are all critical factors for organizations that collect and use big data. Finally, the study demonstrates that innovation significantly and positively impacts financial performance, market performance and customer satisfaction. The originality of the research results makes them a valuable addition to the literature on big data analytics. They provide new insights into the factors that drive organizational success in this rapidly evolving field.