Big Data, New Oil

: Exploring the Impact of Big Data Analytics Capabilities on the Nigerian Upstream Oil and Gas Innovation Value Chain [A Dynamic Capability and Knowledge-based View Approach]

Abstract

Although innovation and big data have been the focus of considerable attention in research, the literature rarely acknowledges the need to explore the use of big data analytics capabilities (BDACs) to influence innovation practices along the innovation value chain (IVC). The evidence from existing literature suggests a limitation on the development of clear theoretical frameworks that can be used to evaluate the types of BDACs that are deployed in knowledge sourcing, knowledge transformation, and knowledge exploitation phases of the IVC. Using the Nigerian upstream oil and gas (O&G) industry, this study addresses this gap by developing an integrated BDAC model that can be used to evaluate the BDACs deployed in the diverse phases of the IVC. The model combines and extends the Knowledge-based View (KBV) and the Dynamic Capability (DC) in a way that has not been done by previous studies.

The study explores the various types of intra-firm and inter-firm BDACs deployed in knowledge sourcing for exploration, knowledge transformation for development, and knowledge exploitation for production phases of the value chain and uncovers their dimensions of influence on operational efficiency in the upstream O&G industry. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 35 expert participants from four upstream O&G companies dealing with exploration, development, and production activities of the value chain. Combining the KBV and DC theoretical concepts provides a novel framework that captures the relationship between the deployment of BDACs and improving efficiency in the diverse phases of the IVC.

The integrated big data analytics capability model presents important and novel theoretical and practical contributions to existing IVC frameworks, and literature on BDACs at a time when upstream O&G companies are faced with challenges of energy transition and climate change advocacy, oil price volatility, geopolitics, stringent environmental regulations, economic uncertainty, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic – all of which have led to increasing calls for the industry to accelerate its innovation and technological advancement to survive in this highly competitive and dynamic environment. The study’s integrated BDACs framework addresses these concerns by providing guidance on improving operational efficiency using big data-driven capabilities across the upstream IVC.

Date of Award	Sept 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Coventry University
Supervisor	Maureen Meadows (Supervisor), Sena Ozdemir (Supervisor) & Mujahid Mohiuddin Babu (Supervisor)