Strategies to Implement Big Data Analytics in Telecommunication Organizations

Abstract

Information technology (IT) leaders who do not invest in big data projects may struggle to gain a competitive advantage and business insights to improve performance. Grounded in Kotter’s change and Six Sigma models, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies IT leaders use to implement big data analytics successfully. The participants comprised 4 IT leaders from 2 telecommunication organizations in the United States of America, who expertly used big data analytics strategies to promote and maximize competitive advantage. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, company documents, and project-related documents. The collected information was examined by utilizing a thematic analysis approach. Four themes emerged from the data analysis process communication, training, employee involvement in decisions, and teamwork strategy. A key recommendation from these findings is for IT leaders to use successful communication strategies to convey the vision and objectives to all organizational levels. The successful communication-strategy can help evaluate business trends, forecasts, improve overall organizational performance and competitive advantage. The implications for positive social change include the potential for job creation, thus catalysing economic growth within communities.