Intelligence management opportunities for SMEs

Abstract

Purpose

Unfortunately, the majority of studies examining business intelligence (BI) have focused on its exploitation in large firms. Often studies appear to assume that smaller firms have limited interest or capabilities in intelligence. The purpose of this paper is to redress this imbalance by extending the role of intelligence (intelligence management (IM)) to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a sample of 650 SMEs are analysed using multivariate techniques.

Findings

The results of the data analysis suggest that entrepreneurial pro-activeness is dependent on IM and Knowledge management; but also that a model fit exists between the IM and the ability of SMEs to enact and sustain entrepreneurial opportunities. The authors also found that firm size is a determining factor in the effectiveness of IM.

Originality/value

This study seeks to extend prior research which alludes to the fact that the decision-making capabilities of firms can be substantially enhanced through the exploitation of BI capabilities among SMES, which traditionally have not considered intelligence as a key competitive competency.

Citation

Ojiako, U., Chipulu, M., Karatas-Ozkan, M., Siao, M.-J. and Maguire, S. (2015), "Intelligence management opportunities for SMEs", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 698-715. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-02-2012-0030