Impact of Business Intelligence on Export of Software Firms

The paper aims to understand the use and expected impact of business intelligence on Paraguayan ICT firms’ export performance. This paper contributes to the literature to better understand the use, benefit, and impact of business intelligence on export performance. It proposes a modelling evaluation framework for the international market and outlines the importance of business intelligence in the whole process. The study includes broader aspects in addition to those found in the study of international management and business intelligence. Design/methodology/approach: This paper adopted a multiple case-study research design using different sources of evidence,including 15 responses from subject-matter experts (SMEs). The subject-matter experts (SME) were selected using a purposive sampling method. Data collected in November and October 2017 were analyzed using grounded theory to develop patterns and categories, and to understand differences and consistencies. The revised Uppsala internationalization process model is used as a theoretical framework to analyze the use and impact of business intelligence on export performance and internationalization. Findings: Thispaper provides empirical insights on the impact of business intelligence in the sense of big data and predictive analytics on the export performance of ICT firms. Although only a few SMEs currently use business intelligence solutions in terms of big data and predictive analytics to support international strategic decision-making processes, the majority indicate their intention to use business intelligence solutions in expectation of positive impact on export performance and international competitiveness.The main factors for selecting a business intelligence solution are transparency of cost and benefits, an excellent client service and an attractive pricing model. Research/practical implications: The study results are relevant for policy makers, researchers, and international managers, who support the development, training, and application of business intelligence systems and its impact on the export performance and internationalization of Paraguayan ICT firms. Future scholarly work should include quantitative assessments of SME perceptions and quantitative data to provide greater clarification of the statistical significance of the variables of this study or to replicate it with other SMEs from different industries and countries. Originality/value:The paper fulfils an identified need and a call for research to study the use and impact of business intelligence on export performance and the competence to globalize Paraguayan ICT firms.