Big Data for SMEs: Comprehensive Insights from Bibliometric and Narrative Literature Review

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are essential to fostering economic growth, innovation, and job creation, particularly in developing nations. However, they frequently struggle to maintain competitiveness, especially amid rapid market shifts and challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation underscores the necessity for digital transformation, with technologies such as Big Data becoming key to enhancing SMEs' efficiency and market visibility. This study investigates how Big Data can bolster SME competitiveness using two approaches: bibliometric analysis and narrative literature review. The bibliometric analysis shows a growing emphasis on Big Data's role in enabling SMEs to overcome resource constraints, forecast market trends, and adjust to evolving consumer preferences. The main research areas identified include sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation. The narrative literature review explores the specific hurdles SMEs face when adopting Big Data, including limited financial resources, insufficient technological infrastructure, and a lack of expertise in handling large datasets. It also recommends strategies to address these issues, such as partnering with technology providers, seeking government assistance, investing in employee training, and adopting cloud-based solutions. In conclusion, while SMEs encounter significant challenges in adopting Big Data, there are practical strategies available to unlock its potential. By addressing these obstacles, SMEs can enhance their efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness on a global scale. This study provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and business leaders on how SMEs can successfully integrate Big Data into their operations for sustained success.