Validation of Data Maturity Criteria for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Abstract

Data is a fundamental source for any business to operate and to develop. Inefficient data management can lead to lack or a flood of data and consequently non-optimal business decisions. This is particularly evident in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often lag behind due to limited resources (financial, human, time, knowledge). To support SMEs in understanding how to manage and utilize data effectively we propose a data maturity assessment multiple-cirteria model. Important criteria were identified from the literature and have been validated through semi-structured interviews with seven Slovenian SMEs. The results suggest some new criteria to describe the data maturity, relevant to Slovenian SMEs.