Implementing big data strategies:A managerial perspective

Despite considerable recent advances in big data analytics, there is substantial evidence thatmany organizationshave failedtoincorporate them effectivelyin their own decision-making processes. Advancing the existing understandings, this article lays out the steps necessary to implement big data strategies successfully. To thisend,wefirst explainhowthebigdata analytics cyclecanprovide usefulinsights into the characteristics ofthe environments in which many organizations operate.Next, we review some common challenges faced by many organizations in their uses of big data analytics and offer specific recommendations for mitigating them. Among these recommendations, which are rooted in the findings of strategy implementation research, we emphasize managerial responsibilities in providing continued commitment and support, the effective communication and coordination of efforts, and the development of big data knowledge and expertise. Finally,in orderto help managers obtain a fundamental knowledge of big data analytics, we provide an easy-to-understand explanation ofimportantbigdata algorithmsandillustrate their successfulapplications through a number of real-life examples