Factors Affecting Employability of Big Data Professionals: an Analysis with Special Reference to Logistics Companies in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Big Data Analytics is swiftly growing and has revolutionised the field of business, through advanced analytics. Similarly, Sri Lanka is progressively embracing big data technology, and the pioneering adopters include logistics companies. This emerging field has opened-up many employment opportunities for big data professionals (BDP). However, Sri Lanka has encountered a shortage of BDP, amidst the significant growth in the field. Thus, this study urges to analyse the factors that potentially impact the employability of BDP in the field of big data analytics, with the motive of finding solutions to reduce the skill shortage, which serves as the main objective of the research. The study was executed by analysing qualitative and quantitative data collected through a questionnaire survey followed by a series of structured interviews. The questionnaire survey was distributed among 180 employees who are currently employed in the field of big data analytics, whereas the structured interviews were carried out with 08 experts in the field. Based on the initial Exploratory Factor Analysis conducted, Education Factors, Skills and Competencies, and Job Market Factors were identified as the three main variables that affect the employability of BDP. Subsequently, a Thematic Analysis was carried out in order to investigate the impact of the aforementioned factors on the big data skill shortage, and to navigate possible remedies for it. As implications of the study, it was revealed that certain educational and competency development factors should be considered in order to diminish the skill shortage of BDP.