2023

Orjatsalo Johanna; Hussinki Henri; Stoklasa Jan

Firms use business analytics to improve their decision making. Analytics applications are increasingly used for decision automation regarding routine processes, and business analytics models and tools have been created for supporting firms in future planning and prediction. While benefits of using analytics to monitor, develop and improve daily operations have been reported by many scholars, the role of business analytics in improving non-routine decisions has remained somewhat uncharted. Top manager role often requires making non-routine decisions. Using thematic analysis of 12 interviews conducted in large Finnish firms, this paper outlines the perceptions of top managers on using business analytics when making decisions. It contributes to the currently ongoing academic discourse on information technology business value and business analytics business value by demonstrating how firms apply business analytics in top management decision-making activities.