Impact of Big Data and Machine Learning on Digital Transformation in Marketing: A Literature Review

Abstract

This paper describes the impact of big data and machine learning (ML) on digital transformation of the marketing industry and the challenges it faces from a data and information management perspective. To do this, the study identified areas of digital transformation in marketing that have not yet been sufficiently covered by existing peer-reviewed academic research. Research papers were retrieved from five databases, namely Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Emerald, and ProQuest. Screening of 214 articles resulted in 69 articles being selected for this literature review. A gap in the existing research was identified, with five areas directly related to digital transformation in marketing. Another five potential opportunities for future research in the area of big data utilisation and application of ML-driven technologies in the marketing field were also identified. An investigation of the prospects of digital transformation in marketing can benefit both academic researchers and business practitioners working in the domain of information technologies (IT), information systems (IS), business, and marketing, by identifying areas needing primary research, systemisation, follow-up research, validation or gathering of empirical data.

Keywords

• Big data
• digital transformation
• marketing
• information management
• disruptive technologies
• machine learning (ML)