Modelling competitive advantage using the concepts of big data and social media to develop a sustainability strategy

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to propose an integrated moderated mediation model to examine the process by which hotels obtain competitive advantage from the perspective of hotel managers. Design/methodology/approach After obtaining the agreement of the participants, a total of 560 candidates, all of whom were hotel managers, completed a survey administered online over a three-month period from November 2020 to January 2021. Ultimately, 257 valid responses were obtained after data screening by research assistants, for a response rate of 45.89%. Findings By reference to the concepts of big data (BD) and sustainability, the results show that BD management is a foundational attribute with respect to the indirect effects of BD analytics capabilities via proactive market orientation and social media collaboration. Furthermore, sustainability commitments and marketing are found to affect the relationship between such analytics capabilities and competitive advantage. Additionally, information sharing and food services have positive moderating effects that strengthen the changes in critical attributes during the process of obtaining competitive advantage. Originality/value To date, despite the proliferation of the concepts of BD, social media and sustainability, there is a lack of adequate empirical evidence and systematic literature reviews to comprehensively synthesize the emerging body of literature in the fields of tourism and hospitality research.