Factors affecting Big Data adoption in a government organisation in the Western Cape

Abstract

Background: Government organisations have realised the potential to derive value from Big Data (BD) and need to adopt BD. Currently, South African governmental organisations have not fully committed to adopting BD because they are unsure if they are adequately equipped, and additional empirical research is required to understand the salient factors that influence BD adoption.Objectives: This research investigates the factors influencing the adoption of BD at a government organisation in the Western Cape, South Africa.Method: This study adopted a qualitative research approach, using semi-structured interviews and snowball sampling to collect data from 11 participants at a government organisation in the Western Cape. Participants provided informed consent and it uses a thematic analysis approach to analyse the data.Results: The technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework was used to study the factors influencing BD adoption at government organisations. Seventeen factors were identified, the majority in the organisational context of TOE framework. The salient factors were identified as top management support, finance, and budget, skills and talent and organisational strategy.Conclusion: The study found 17 factors that influence the adoption of BD at this government organisation and provides recommendations on how to address those factors to ensure that BD is adopted successfully.Contribution: This study presents empirical evidence of the factors that influence BD adoption in government organisations. By considering these factors, government organisations can integrate and synergise IT and business to ensure that the core business of government, which is service delivery to the citizens, is achieved competently by harnessing the potential of BD.