Bridging the Gap

aligning industry expectations and educational outcomes in business analytics

Abstract

As organisations increasingly rely on data-driven decision making, understanding the skill requirements and practical challenges of business analytics has become essential. This research offers evidence-based solutions for updating analytical education so that graduates are more equipped for entry-level positions. It highlights tools, knowledge areas, and skills that employers demand and find missing, providing practical data for academics and industry stakeholders. The study used secondary survey data (N = 260) from enterprises of various sizes according to (EU categories: large 62.3%, medium 16.9%, small 14.6%, micro 5.8%). The survey captured Likert-type assessments on agreement/effectiveness, significance ratings for 15 analytical skills (−2 to +2), and open-ended assessments of limitations and capability needs. Descriptive and non-parametric analysis (Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman) discovered that businesses mostly disagreed that analytics interrupted workflows or increased workload, while strongly supporting automation.  The findings revealed significant differences in skill priorities based on company size: larger organisations prioritised technical and governance skills which included programming, data engineering, and data governance, while smaller enterprises relied primarily on spreadsheets and communication skills. Business understanding, presentation, and visualisation were valued highly across all groups, however design skills were less valued. The findings highlight both ongoing skill gaps and employers' practical focus towards applied skills.