Article
Impact of Business Analytics Practices on the Business Performance of SMEs in Hyderabad: An Empirical Study
Business analytics has emerged as an important mechanism through which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can improve decision-making, operational efficiency, customer responsiveness, and overall business performance. This study examines the impact of business analytics practices on the business performance of SMEs in Hyderabad. Business analytics practices are examined through four major dimensions: data-driven decision-making, descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics. The study adopts a descriptive, empirical, quantitative, and cross-sectional research design. Primary data are proposed to be collected from owners, managers, and key decision-makers of SMEs operating in Hyderabad using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. Multiple regression analysis is employed to determine the individual and collective influence of business analytics practices on SME business performance. Business performance is assessed through financial performance, operational efficiency, customer performance, and market performance. The study is expected to demonstrate that effective adoption of business analytics practices contributes significantly to improved SME performance. The findings can assist SME owners and managers in identifying analytics practices that provide the greatest contribution to business outcomes and support evidence-based managerial decision-making.