How and Under What Conditions Does Data Analytics Improve Managerial Decision-Making?

This independent research paper examines how and under what conditions data analytics improves managerial decision-making. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, it reviews literature published between 2015 and 2026 and identifies 40 relevant studies. The findings suggest that data analytics can improve decision quality through knowledge sharing, information processing, organizational capabilities, and more effective decision processes. However, its benefits depend on factors such as data quality, analytical skills, governance, and organizational culture. Improved decision quality does not always lead to better organizational performance. The review also identifies a gap in research comparing operational and strategic decision-making. It proposes a conceptual framework and five propositions to guide future research, emphasizing stronger research methods and direct comparisons between decision levels. Because information was available only partially for some included studies, the findings should be interpreted with this limitation in mind.