The Impact of Employing Big Data Technologies on Cost Measurement Efficiency and Enhancing Competitive Advantage: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

 This study aimed to diagnose the reality and requirements of applying Big Data technologies in the sample companies, measure the efficiency level of cost measurement systems, their ability to transition toward real-time predictive costing, and determine the level of enhancing competitive advantage across its strategic dimensions (cost leadership, differentiation, flexibility, and speed). To achieve the study’s objectives, a descriptive-analytical approach was relied upon to diagnose the trends of the sample members, consisting of (100) individuals distributed across (3) companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange. The study obtained statistical results that proved the existence of a statistically significant positive impact of Big Data technologies on the increase of the efficiency of cost measurement with a direct path of (0.4850) and the total interactive indirect impact on the increase of competitive advantage of (0.5382) through the efficiency of cost measurement as a mediating variable. In addition, the results of the One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.178) between the responses of the sample members due to the economic sector variable, which indicated a common professional maturity and awareness of the importance of cost digitalization. One of the primary suggestions of the study is the need to move gradually from traditional systems to new systems in an effort to help improve indirect cost allocation, increase measurement efficiency, and improve competitive advantage.

Keywords: Big Data Technologies, Cost Measurement, Competitive Advantage.