The influence of management support on the drivers of business intelligence success

Abstract

Understanding the drivers of business intelligence (BI) success has become an imperative topic for organisations that wish to obtain the benefits promised by these initiatives. This research study attempted to quantitatively uncover how the enterprise-wide concept of management support affects other key drivers of BI. Additionally, this study validated how management support, an analytical decision-making culture and analytical capabilities influence BI success. Through purposive and snowball sampling, knowledge workers that had experience with BI were approached via an electronic survey. Relationships among key constructs were investigated using correlation, multiple regression and moderation analyses. Exploratory factor analysis provided further insight into the factors that underpin the constructs. Continuous guidance and support from management, a culture driven by data-driven decision-making and robust BI systems were deemed vital in driving BI success. Respondents reacted marginally differently to items based on their management level. Additional research may be required to explore the effects of BI stakeholders’ management level, as well as the effects of a BI initiative’s maturity and level of adoption. Management should be informed of its power and influence on BI initiatives and create collaborative platforms to enable effective communication among BI stakeholders. Concentration on advanced BI systems should be reviewed and instead integrated with an appropriate BI team. This investigation highlights current contradictory views on management support and how its complexity and extent impact BI. Given the prominence placed on organisations reaching BI success, this study encourages an appreciation for the convoluted role of management in supporting these initiatives.