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Making sense of business analytics in project selection and prioritisation: Insights from the start-up trenches

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journal contribution
posted on 2021-05-11, 08:35 authored by Efpraxia D Zamani, Anastasia Griva, Konstantina Spanaki, Paidi O’Raghallaigh, David Sammon
Purpose: The study aims to provide insight in the sensemaking process and the use of business analytics (BA) for project selection and prioritisation in start-up settings. A major focus is on the various ways start-ups can understand their data through the analytical process of sensemaking. Research Methods: This is a comparative case study of two start-ups that use BA in their projects. We follow an interpretive approach and draw from the constructivist Grounded Theory Method (GTM) approach for the purpose of data analysis, whereby the theory of Sensemaking functions as the sensitising device that supports us in the interpretation of our data. Findings: The key findings lie within the scope of project selection and prioritisation, where the sensemaking process is implicitly influenced by each start-up’s strategy and business model. BA help start-ups notice changes within their internal and external environment and focus their attention on the more critical questions along the lines of their processes, operations and business model. However, BA alone cannot support decision-making around less structured problems such as project selection and prioritisation, where intuitive judgement and personal opinion are still heavily used. Originality/value: Our study extends the research on business analytics (BA) applied in organisations as tools for business development. Specifically, we draw on the literature of BA tools in support of project management from multiple perspectives. The perspectives include but are not limited to project assessment and prioritisation. We view the decision-making process and the path from insight to value, as a sensemaking process, where data become part of the sensemaking roadmap and BA help start-ups navigate the decision-making process.

History

School

  • Loughborough Business School

Published in

Information Technology and People

Volume

37

Issue

2

Pages

895-918

Publisher

Emerald

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Rights holder

© Emerald

Publisher statement

This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Information Technology and People and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-09-2020-0633

Acceptance date

2021-04-06

Publication date

2021-04-29

Copyright date

2021

ISSN

0959-3845

Language

  • en

Depositor

Dr Konstantina Spanaki. Deposit date: 6 April 2021