The Application of Business Analytics for Performance Management: The Results of Some Exploratory Case Studies

This study investigates Business Analytics and Big Data applications in the domain of Finance function and controller activities: these applications are often referred to as “Business Performance Analytics” (BPA). Business Performance Analytics (BPA) has been recognized as having a significant impact on a company’s performance and can serve as a sustainable competitive advantage. However, there are limited studies that directly address this topic, often focusing on specific techniques and applications. The purpose of this work is to contribute towards bridging this gap by providing a managerial perspective on how companies implement BPA systems. This involves analyzing the key components of BPA, identifying the improvements it brings to controller activities, and how a company can benefit from implementing BPA. To attain the objectives, a qualitative approach was selected due to the investigative nature of the research. The initial step was to construct a theoretical framework, followed by seeking endorsement from experts and practitioners in the field. Finally, the theoretical framework was used to conduct eight exploratory case studies.