Complementarity as a Driver of Value in Business Intelligence and Analytics Adoption Processes

Abstract

Objective: Investments in Business Intelligence and Analytics (BI&A) are increasingly essential to a firm’s competitiveness. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV), our objective is to analyze the implementation of a BI&A system at the Brazilian National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES) to assess the generation of business value for the organization.

Methodology: We collected qualitative data through interviews, participant observation, and internal documents and communications. For data analysis, we followed the general coding, aggregation and synthesis process with the use of the qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti.

Originality: Traditional Information Technology (IT) investment evaluation frameworks, especially on BI&A systems, neglect the dynamic nature and the mutual influences of Information Systems assets and capabilities. Also, these frameworks lack studies on complementary socio-organizational capabilities in the business value generation process. Furthermore, RBV has rarely been employed in the study of the impact of BI&A in organizations.

Main results: Our results revealed the critical role played by IT and organizational resources and capacities in the BI&A adoption process, as well as the importance of the dynamics of complementarity and its positive outcomes in business.

Theoretical contribution: In our research, we provide evidence of RBV’s potential to elucidate the complexities regarding the generation of sustainable business value, and therefore to explain the distinct results obtained by organizations that adopt BI&A technologies.