Assessing the Big Data Analytics Readiness based on Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework of Malaysian Libraries: Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

The growing interest in big data is mostly due to its enormous potential for revealing previously unknown patterns or profiles that aid organisations in making critical service decisions. Following other sectors' adoption of big data, the information services sector, such as libraries, has recently jumped on board. Although libraries face challenges in adopting new service models to assist with the transformation of data into information, big data has been identified as one of the potential mechanisms for enhancing service delivery. Libraries must increase their technology knowledge and capability in order to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the developing field of library data analytics, which provides fresh insights into established service models. Regardless of the dedication of libraries and information services to promote big data, the readiness of libraries, as well as their staffs and infrastructure, such as technology, is critical to the effective deployment of big data. Inadequate applications of big data prior to maturity might backfire and result in long-lasting operational and institutional mutilation. Thus, this study used a quantitative approach to investigate the readiness (Technology-Organization-Environment readiness) of Malaysian libraries for big data potentials. The findings indicate that the dimensions of Malaysian libraries' readiness for BDAs are primarily high-level (in nature, encompassing technological, organizational, and environmental dimensions. The study included academic libraries, public libraries, and special libraries, and utilised a survey research methodology involving 370 libraries. The findings of the study are expected to provide important insight into the factors affecting the preparation of Malaysian libraries for big data potentials and the projected effect of increased/lower change readiness in Malaysian libraries.