Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

D.B.A.

Degree Granting Department

Business

Major Professor

Hemant Merchant, Ph.D.

Co-Major Professor

Clinton Daniel, DBA.

Committee Member

Steven Curral, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Michael Mondello, Ph.D.

Keywords

Advanced Analytics, Analytics Maturity, Data Governance, Leadership Decisions, Organizational Leadership, Prescriptive Analytics

Abstract

Traditional retail organizations are increasingly investing in data collection and analytics, yet they often remain at the descriptive and diagnostic levels, lacking the prescriptive capabilities necessary for actionable recommendations. This research examines the influence of leadership on the adoption of prescriptive analytics within U.S.-based brick-and-mortar retail establishments. Utilizing surveys from 329 respondents, including management personnel, departmental leaders, and analytics professionals, and conducting qualitative analyses of open-ended responses, key leadership factors such as Decision Maturity & Support, Resistance, Data-Driven Commitment, and Analytics Proficiency were identified. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results revealed that leadership behaviors significantly forecast analytics maturity, with executive analytics skills exerting a more considerable influence than resource allocation. Supportive departmental leadership facilitates adoption, whereas resistance impedes progress. The findings underscore that leadership decisions around vision, governance, organizational culture, and skills are essential for transforming analytics into effective decision-making tools. They also highlight the necessity for leaders to augment their skills, cultivate support, and effectively address resistance.

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