Hypothesis testing.

This study explores how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can leverage big data analytics (BDA) to gain competitive advantage (CA), highlighting the mediating role of data-driven innovation (DDI) and the foundational importance of data governance (DG) and data-driven culture (DDC). Despite the transformative potential of BDA, SMEs often struggle to translate data insights into competitive outcomes due to inadequate governance, cultural barriers, and a lack of clarity on how to operationalize analytics through innovation. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability view (DCV), this study adopts a quantitative approach and analyzes survey data from 287 Chinese SMEs using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that DG and DDC significantly enhance BDA, which directly improves CA and strongly drives DDI. DDI further mediates 61% of the total effect of BDA on CA, highlighting its key role in translating data insights into market innovation. The study advances the theoretical framework by positioning DG and DDC as valuable, scarce, inimitable and non-substitutable (VRIN) resources and DDI as a dynamic “access” mechanism. Practical insights urge SMEs to prioritize governance protocols, cultural alignment, and innovation channels to bridge the gap between analytical and competitive outcomes. Limitations include geographic focus and cross-sectional design, prompting future longitudinal and cross-industry investigations. This study provides a roadmap for SMEs to leverage data-driven strategies in turbulent markets.

本研究探讨中小企业（SMEs）如何借助大数据分析（BDA）获取竞争优势（CA），重点阐明数据驱动创新（DDI）的中介效应，以及数据治理（DG）与数据驱动文化（DDC）的基础性支撑作用。尽管大数据分析具备变革性应用潜力，但中小企业常因治理体系不完善、存在文化壁垒，且缺乏通过创新落地数据分析的清晰路径，难以将数据洞察转化为竞争成果。本研究基于资源基础观（RBV）与动态能力观（DCV），采用定量研究方法，通过偏最小二乘结构方程模型（PLS-SEM）分析了287家中国中小企业的调研数据。研究结果显示：数据治理（DG）与数据驱动文化（DDC）可显著推动大数据分析（BDA）的落地应用；大数据分析（BDA）既能直接提升竞争优势（CA），又能强力驱动数据驱动创新（DDI）。数据驱动创新（DDI）进一步中介了大数据分析（BDA）对竞争优势（CA）61%的总效应，凸显了其在将数据洞察转化为市场创新过程中的核心地位。本研究完善了相关理论框架，将数据治理（DG）与数据驱动文化（DDC）界定为珍贵、稀缺、难以模仿且不可替代（VRIN）的战略资源，将数据驱动创新（DDI）视为动态的“资源获取”机制。本研究的实践启示为，中小企业应优先完善治理规范、对齐组织文化认知、拓展创新落地渠道，以弥合数据分析能力与竞争成果之间的转化鸿沟。本研究存在一定局限，包括研究地域聚焦与横截面研究设计，未来可开展纵向跨行业调查研究。本研究为中小企业在动荡市场环境中落地数据驱动战略提供了清晰的行动路线图。