Business intelligence and competitiveness: the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of business intelligence (BI) in startups competitiveness, contributing to a gap in literature as this relationship is normally more focused on stablished businesses. The mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) was taken in to account in the proposed research model. Design/methodology/approach The model was tested using structural equation modeling. A total of 228 valid questionnaires were collected from a research sample comprised of incubated startups from several European countries. Findings The results point to significant mediating role of EO in the impact of BI on competitiveness. The direct impact of BI on competitiveness was not confirmed. Research limitations/implications The results highlight the importance that BI can have in startups competitiveness, namely, reinforcing the role of pro-activeness, innovativeness and risk taking – the traditional dimensions of EO, providing the information needed for more supported decisions. Originality/value Although there are several approaches to BI, namely, in a more technical perspective, this paper addresses the topic in a managerial and decisional point of view, and studies it regarding his impact in startups competitiveness, thru the mediating effect of EO.