The Adoption of Business Intelligence as a Competitive Strategy Among SMEs

Abstract

Business intelligence is central to the competitiveness of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the developing world. Guided by Porter's five forces model, this chapter discusses how SMEs in the developing world may harness various business intelligence information systems to gain competitive advantages over their competitors. The results of the review show that competitive rivalry among enterprises, influenced by the bargaining power of customers and suppliers, the threats of new entrants, and substitute products, influence the competitiveness of enterprises, and their influence is stronger among SMEs in the developing world. Challenges faced by SMEs in implementing business intelligence solutions include lack of funding, managerial support, and expertise. The chapter recommends investment and training in the development of business intelligence solutions for SMEs in the developing world. It further recommends more research on the acceptance and development of these technologies.