Abstract:
Big data designates huge data-sets which demand unique advanced tools and techniques to
collect, analyze, control and envision. Today, big data has captured an extensive interest from
researchers and smart firms. This paper embarked on using desk-research to address the
following objectives: to analyze the technological concepts of big data analytics; to establish
application and uses of big data and its effects on business decisions; to examine the challenges
of big data in decision making by smart firms. The study involved reviewing literature resources
comprising of scientific research reports, journals, theses, and conference papers. The study
concluded that Information Systems techniques, tools, and new intelligent technologies are
paramount in organizations’ strategic decision and planning for a life-long business success and
to meet Kenya's vision 2030 economic projections. The concepts of Business Intelligence (BI)
and the Internet of Things (IoT) development have supported the application of big data by smart
firms enabling efficient quality service delivery such as smart energy, smart healthcare, smart
grids, smart water, smart transportation, smart retail and smart homes.
