Abstract
In the contemporary business landscape, data warehouses (DW), often perceived as outdated, continue to wield considerable influence, particularly when harnessed alongside modern technological innovations. Data warehousing has played a pivotal role in enhancing various business processes, positioning it as a vital strategic resource for Information Managers who utilise it to extract actionable insights for both executives and end users. The imperative for instantaneous, on-the-fly access to critical information within organisations, coupled with rapid advancements in technology, has paved the way for the ascendancy of hybrid data warehousing solutions. These innovative systems have taken centre stage in the management of heterogeneous data, enabling efficient connections, analyses, and management of diverse data sources for streamlined business reporting. While myriad studies have explored the multifaceted dimensions of HDW design, deployment, and implementation across different contexts, ’they have mostly left untapped the intricate dynamics of this technology in heterogeneous information management.
This research seeks to unravel the contextual nuances of hybrid cloud deployments, factors that significantly influence organisations within South Africa’s FSS in adopting HDPs as a contemporary paradigm for information management. The FSS in South Africa contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP, underscoring the urgency of embracing modern best practices, particularly in the realm of information and data management. The sector routinely generates colossal volumes of data, measured in petabytes, during everyday business transactions, a treasure trove of critical information imperative for real-time decision-making. The foundational premise of this study lies in recognising that cloud based computing, despite its rapid growth, is still at a nascent stage, especially within the South African context. Research has unveiled a tendency among organisations transitioning to the cloud to underestimate the intricacies of data management within hybrid environments. Moreover, contemporary information-architecture models such as hybrid or multi-cloud setups remain inadequately explored, leaving a dearth of reliable references to steer the implementation of modern and data-driven competitive approaches.
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To gain a profound comprehension of the contextual dynamics influencing the implementation of HDPs within the South African landscape, this study embraces an exploratory sequential mixed method. This methodology employs two sequential phases of data collection and analysis. The initial phase entails gathering and analysing qualitative data, followed by the collection and analysis of quantitative data. The outcomes of the first phase serve as the foundation for designing data-collection instruments used in the second phase.
The first phase of the study delves into qualitative data collection, conducted via in-depth interviews with managers and leaders of data platform teams hailing from organisations operating within the FSS in South Africa. This phase involved 12 purposefully selected participants, out of whom 7 (a 58.33% response rate) with extensive knowledge of data platforms were interviewed via Microsoft Teams. Qualitative data analysis employed the 2006 Braun & Clarke 6-step framework, facilitated by the QDA Miner Lite software (version 2.0.9). The second phase centres on quantitative data collection, achieved through an online questionnaire targeting data professionals within the FSS of South Africa. Using IBM SPSS version 28.0.1, the quantitative data underwent descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and OLS Regression analysis. Of the 73 participants included in the sample, spanning both consultants and FSS employees, 58 responded, resulting in a commendable 79.45% response rate.
The research findings unearth a burgeoning interest in cloud computing within the South African FSS. However, this enthusiasm is met with the realisation that the cloud computing landscape remains in its infancy. Despite this nascent stage, the study illuminates the absence of organisations with entirely cloud-centric, enterprise data platforms. As a consequence, these organisations have opted to manage and implement HDPs. Importantly, the study reveals a notable trend, indicating that enterprises born during the cloud era lean toward a cloud-only strategy, whereas more established companies tend to adopt a hybrid cloud approach.
In conclusion, this study underscores the vital importance of adapting data platforms, like DWs, to meet the escalating demand for data and to enhance data-driven decision-making. The research delineates essential strategic guidelines tailored to
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guide organisations embarking on the journey of hybrid data warehousing, particularly within the South African FSS and analogous contexts.
Keywords
Hybrid Data Warehouse; Hybrid Data Platform; Information-Intensive; Cloud Computing; Data Warehouse; Data Management; Information and Knowledge Management; Exploratory Sequential Mixed Method.