Analyzing the effectiveness of using big data technologies and their impact on strategic financial decision-making

Master’s thesis submitted to

The Council of the College of Administration and Economics – University of Karbala, which is part of the requirements for obtaining a master’s degree in accounting

written by

Shmal kamel AL- Khafaji

Supervised by

Assistant Professor Dr Jasim Idan Barak Al Mamouri

Abstract

The research aimed to identify big data technologies, including data mining, machine learning, natural language processing, artificial neural network technology and their impact on strategic financial decisions. To achieve this goal, the researcher relied on reviewing and analyzing literature from multiple sources, including foreign, Arab and local references. These sources included books, scientific dissertations and scientific articles published in scientific journals, in addition to reviewing websites available on the Internet. All of these sources contributed significantly to expanding and strengthening the theoretical aspect of the research. The questionnaire was also used as a tool for collecting data. The number of questionnaire forms was (178) and were distributed to a sample of (accountants, financial analysts and financial managers) working in the group of private Iraqi banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange. (156) valid questionnaire forms were retrieved for analysis, representing 88% of the total distributed questionnaires. The researcher used the advanced statistical program (Smart-Pls) and (Excel) to analyze the answers and test the hypotheses using the partial least squares structural modeling method (PLS-SEM). The results showed a statistically significant impact of big data technologies on strategic financial decisions, as this impact appeared on all dimensions. These results indicate the prominent importance of big data technologies in improving strategic financial decisions. In light of the results, the researcher recommends that all accountants develop their skills in big data technologies and benefit from big data to improve decision-making processes and improve accounting information. He also recommends that companies, especially banks, should employ big data technologies to anticipate future risks and enhance their ability to make strategic decisions in an innovative and effective way.

Keywords: Big data, big data technologies, strategic financial decisions

Analyzing the effectiveness of using big data technologies and their impact on strategic financial decision-making

Master’s thesis submitted to

The Council of the College of Administration and Economics – University of Karbala, which is part of the requirements for obtaining a master’s degree in accounting

written by

Shmal kamel AL- Khafaji

Supervised by

Assistant Professor Dr Jasim Idan Barak Al Mamouri

Abstract

The research aimed to identify big data technologies, including data mining, machine learning, natural language processing, artificial neural network technology and their impact on strategic financial decisions. To achieve this goal, the researcher relied on reviewing and analyzing literature from multiple sources, including foreign, Arab and local references. These sources included books, scientific dissertations and scientific articles published in scientific journals, in addition to reviewing websites available on the Internet. All of these sources contributed significantly to expanding and strengthening the theoretical aspect of the research. The questionnaire was also used as a tool for collecting data. The number of questionnaire forms was (178) and were distributed to a sample of (accountants, financial analysts and financial managers) working in the group of private Iraqi banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange. (156) valid questionnaire forms were retrieved for analysis, representing 88% of the total distributed questionnaires. The researcher used the advanced statistical program (Smart-Pls) and (Excel) to analyze the answers and test the hypotheses using the partial least squares structural modeling method (PLS-SEM). The results showed a statistically significant impact of big data technologies on strategic financial decisions, as this impact appeared on all dimensions. These results indicate the prominent importance of big data technologies in improving strategic financial decisions. In light of the results, the researcher recommends that all accountants develop their skills in big data technologies and benefit from big data to improve decision-making processes and improve accounting information. He also recommends that companies, especially banks, should employ big data technologies to anticipate future risks and enhance their ability to make strategic decisions in an innovative and effective way.

Keywords: Big data, big data technologies, strategic financial decisions