The modern asset: Big Data and Information Valuation

Date
2015-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The volatile nature of business requires organizations to fully exploit all of their assets while always trying to gain the competitive edge. One of the key resources for improving efficiency, developing new technology and optimizing processes is data and information; with the arrival of Big Data, this has never been more true. However, even though data and information provide tangible and often indispensable value to organizations, they are not appropriately valued or controlled. This lack of valuation and control is directly related to the lack of a reliable and functional valuation method for them. This study takes a qualitative and inductive approach to developing Decision Based Valuation (DBV); a proof-of-concept information valuation method. DBV addresses the need to correctly value the data and information an organisation has and may require. Furthermore, DBV is presented with its valuation framework and value optimization and performance assessment tools. These tools address the issue of management and control of information, following in the footsteps of Physical Asset Management (PAM). By using complimentary valuation methods and attributes from PAM in combination with intangible asset valuation methods, DBV is able to capture what is essential to the value of information. Beginning with a background to Big Data and PAM, their value is made clear to reader. Furthermore, the difficulty and need for a valuation method catered towards information is presented. This will set the stage for the introduction of data and information principles as well as physical and intangible asset valuation methods. These methods are drawn upon for the development of DBV as well as the valuation framework it is based upon. The valuation framework acts as the foundation of DBV and addresses the core principle of information valuation. After detailing DBV in full, proposed value optimization and performance assessment tools are described. These tools are created to assist with the control and management of information. Concluding this study is the validation of both the method itself and the need for it. Combining depth interviews and case studies, the need and importance of a method such as DBV will become clearer to the reader. Furthermore, the success of DBV as a proof-of-concept is illustrated. The method presented in this study shows that it is possible to create a reliable and generic valuation method for Big Data and information. It sets a foundation for further research and development of the Decision Based Valuation method.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wisselvallige aard van die omgewing sake vereis besighede om hulle bates ten volle te benut, maar om terselfdertyd ook ‘n mededingende voordeel te bewerkstellig. Een van die belangrikste hulpbronne om doeltreffendheid te verbeter, nuwe tegnologie te ontwikkel en prosesse te optimeer is data en inligting. Met die koms van die konsep van Groot Data is data an inligting belangriker as tevore. Selfs al verskaf data en inligting tasbare en noodsaaklikeaarde vir besighede, word die waarde daarvan nie behoorlik bepaal of beheer nie, wat direk verband hou met die gebrek aan ‘n betroubare en funksionele waardbepalingsmetode vir data en inligting. Hierdie studie volg ‘n kwalitatiewe benadering en ontwikkel ‘n model vir "Besluit Gebaseerde Waardasie” (BGW) - ‘n konsep inligting waardasiemetode. BGW spreek die behoefte vir korrekte data en inligtingwaarde vir besighede aan. Die metode verskaf die waardasie raamwerk en waarde optimerings en evaluering van prestasie metodes. Hierdie metodes spreek die probleem van bestuur en beheer van inligting binne die fisiese batebestuur omgewing aan. BGW is in staat om die waarde van inligting te bepaal deur die gebruik van ’n kombinasie van die waardasiemetodes en eienskappe van fisiese batebestuur asook die waardasiemetodes van ontasbare bates. Om die waarde van beide te verduidelik, word die agtergrond van “Big Data” en fiesiese batebestuur omgewing, waarna die probleme en vraag na ‘n waardasiemetode vir inligting geillustreer word. Dit baan die weg vir die bekendstelling van data en inligting beginsels asook die fisiese en ontasbare waardasiemetodes. Hierdie metodes dien as fondasie waarop die BGW waardasiemetodes en -raamwerk gebaseer word. Dit dien as die basis vir BGW en spreek die kernbeginsel van die waardasie van inligting aan. Na oorweging van die besonderhede van BGW, word die waarde optimerings en prestasie evalueringsmiddele beskryf. Hierdie middele is geskep om die beheer en bestuur van inligting aan te help. Hierdie studie word afgesluit met die bekragtiging van beide die waardasiemetode asook die behoefte daarvoor. Dit word bewerkstellig deur die kombinasie van in diepte onderhoude en gevallestudies. Verder word die sukses van BGW as ‘n waardasiemetode uitgebeeld en bewys. Die BGW metode bewys dat ‘n betroubare en generiese metode vir die waardasie van “Big Data” en inligting geskep kan word. Dit dien as grondslag vir verdere navorsing en ontwikkeling van die waarde-gebaseerde besluitneming metode.
Description
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
Keywords
Decision Based Valuation (DBV) method, Big Data, Management and control of information, Physical Asset Management (PAM), UCTD
Citation