Big data analytics capability, knowledge management processes, digital innovation, and firm performance in UAE ICT firms

This study examines how big data analytics capability (BDAC) relates to knowledge management processes (KMP) and how KMP contributes to digital innovation and firm performance in UAE ICT and digital-economy firms. The study addresses a persistent literature gap: although prior research generally links BDAC to organizational performance, internal mechanisms converting analytics capability into innovation and business value remain unclear. Drawing on the resource-based view, knowledge-based view, and information-processing logic, we propose that BDAC creates value by strengthening routines for knowledge acquisition, dissemination, and application, in turn supporting digital innovation and improved firm performance. Primary data were collected between 15 December 2025 and 10 January 2026 through an online cross-sectional survey administered via Google Form to key informants, managers and senior decision-makers, in UAE ICT and digital-economy firms, yielding 188 usable responses. The survey examined relationships among BDAC, KMP, digital innovation, and firm performance. A survey was selected because focal constructs are organization-level capabilities and routines captured through key-informant perceptual measures across a broad firm sample. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), suitable for complex models with higher-order constructs and multiple mediating relationships. Findings support a capability-to-process-to-innovation explanation of analytics value creation: BDAC strengthens KMP, KMP enhances digital innovation, and digital innovation improves firm performance, while KMP also contributes to performance. For managers, results indicate analytics investments generate stronger returns when firms institutionalize cross-functional knowledge-sharing routines, embed analytics outputs into decision and development workflows, and link insights directly to digital product, service, and process innovation initiatives.