Data Supply Chain Management

This study examines data product management and issues within the data supply chain management context. It aims to do so because companies often consider data as a technical good and do not have a product perspective, which can lead to wrong actions. Recent articles have highlighted this lack of business meaning and control and the pressing need for business-close management disciplines. Thus, to understand the activities and scope needed to regain control over data products, this paper posits the following research questions: "How are data products managed?" and "Which challenges exist in the DSCM context and how can they be solved?" This study used qualitative interviews with 16 experts within the data domain who are employed in a business within Switzerland. The study shows there are issues with the data sources’ quality, the understandability of data products, and the integration of data flows. Practitioners apply resolution strategies such as establishing responsibilities in business units for data products and automated checks for data flows and sources. As an implication, this study suggests companies create data governance structures with responsible roles in the corresponding business departments.