The notion of big data and its application in driving organizational decision making has attracted enormous attention over the past few years. As the label itself indicates, big data refers to large volumes of data generated and made available online and in digital media ecosystems. Companies are realizing that the data they own and the way they use them can differentiate them from competition, and even provide them with a competitive edge. Thus, todays companies try to collect and process as much data as possible. Big data and business analytics are also challenging existing modes of business and well-established companies. The need to harness the potential of rapidly expanding data volume, velocity, and variety, has seen a significant evolution of techniques and technologies for data storage, analysis, and visualization. Yet, there is limited understanding of how organizations need to change to embrace these technological innovations, and the business shifts they entail. Even more, the business value of big data and business analytics technologies still remain largely underexplored. As big data tools and applications spread, they will inevitably change long-standing ideas about decision making, management practices, and most importantly competitive strategy formulation. 

The purpose of this track is to shed some light on how big data and business analytics tools are reshaping contemporary companies. The focus is on how companies should optimally deploy and exploit big data as part of their competitive strategies, as well as how the analytic methods, tools, and techniques are best utilized for supporting business operations. In this respect the workshop will be revolved on themes such as how big data are effectively leveraged in a range of contexts and industries (e.g. technology, retail, oil and gas, healthcare, telecommunications), and what critical factors drive successful diffusion. Papers that address topics on how information sources, technological infrastructure, human skills and knowledge, organizational/team structures, and management practices coalesce to achieve desired ends, are of increased interest. Furthermore, outcomes that demonstrate the organizational impact of big data and business analytics in terms of competitive performance, innovativeness, increased agility, and market capitalizing competence are encouraged.