Factors affecting Mobile Business Intelligence readiness in the South African telecom sector

Background: The rapid adoption and accelerated integration of mobile technology into organisational processes have significantly transformed the landscape of data collection and analysis, establishing Mobile Business Intelligence (MBI) as a critical enabler of real time, data-driven decision-making. Mobile Business Intelligence has emerged as a pivotal tool for enhancing the speed and accuracy of strategic business decisions. Objectives: The study investigated and established factors affecting MBI readiness within the South African telecommunications sector. Method: Quantitative research methodology and probability sampling were used to select participants, and closed-ended questionnaires were used. One hundred and twenty-eight responses were received and tested. The factors affecting MBI readiness were validated using quantitative analysis. Results: Fourteen factors affecting MBI readiness were identified, namely: organisational culture, organisational capability, policies and people, infrastructure, security, skills, training, enterprise mobility support, need for change, inhibitors, motivators, and change enablers. Conclusion: The findings of this study may encourage success in leveraging mobility and developing better strategies and approaches for MBI adoption, enabling organisations to realise expected benefits, make well-informed decisions and conserve costs, time and resources. These organisations could achieve a higher success rate with MBI investments. Contribution: This study contributed methodologically, theoretically and practically by identifying critical success factors affecting MBI readiness. Methodologically, the identified factors inform the MBI readiness model and provide guidelines for the successful implementation of MBI solutions.