Nonprofit professionals use the available time and resources to support their programs by completing essential business operation goals that require technical training ( Santos et al., 2021 ) that enhance decision-making and maximize their impact on society by leveraging big data technology to monitor and evaluate program activities. These initiatives aim to address community issues such as social exclusion, poverty, unemployment, and low educational attainment. Additionally, supporting to obtaining the technical training necessary to achieve competence, confidence, and technological capability ( Indrawati & Khalik, 2020 ) where training interventions are designed to encourage the adoption of technology, which can help develop informed business leaders who embody and fulfill the organization’s mission ( Duan & Deng, 2021 ).

It is imperative to comprehend the effects of training in the rapidly evolving big data technology era on the labor market ( Fritsch et al., 2021 ) and the current technological developments throw professionals’ knowledge off balance, increasing the risk of unemployment and rendering professionals obsolete in the labor market. Acquire new skills and knowledge to stay current with emerging technologies and obtain insights that quantify and measure the programs ( Kar et al., 2021 ), giving professionals the tools they need to understand and apply these methods to gather data and make choices that enable program results to be accurately tracked ( Mayer, 2019 ). It is important to get timely, relevant, and up-to-date training in big data technology to acquire flexible and developable skills ( Papa et al., 2021 ) to assist in finding helpful information through big data technologies, thereby reducing the possibility of program errors.

To support technological advancement, it needs opportunities for education, training materials, and technical support ( Chin et al., 2020 ) with a clear goal and advantages to raise awareness of big data technology so they can participate in initiatives that support their company’s social objective. Finding the correct program information quickly by devoting a substantial amount of time to searching, filtering, and probing is an example of how using data without big data technology usually necessitates more training and education ( Chin et al. 2020 ). Hands-on training is crucial in the workplace to become competent and develop resourcefulness with access to sufficient training and equal opportunities for professional growth. The professional’s knowledge and skills must be updated through hands-on training whenever a need for knowledge requests emerges ( Bammidi & Hyndhavi, 2019 ). Nelson (2020) asserts that meeting social missions in business management will be the future requirement and using information technology training is essential to meeting program objectives and facilitating quick learning of the requirements of big data technology.

According to Peñarroja et al. (2019) , the literature search was prompted by whether sufficient technical training supports the adoption of big data technologies with a lack of capacity restricting the ability to track results, manage data, and evaluate the effectiveness of their programs. Research indicates that few assess the programs, and even fewer professionals are trained in evaluation methods ( Shapiro & Oystrick, 2018 ). The inadequacy can lead to failures and the inability to sustain community-focused programs due to insufficient training ( De Rezende Francisco et al., 2019 ; Gong & Janssen, 2021 ).

The study identifies three key pillars for nonprofits to adopt big data technology successfully: 1) digital education, skills, and culture; 2) training infrastructure and technology interaction; and 3) long-term partnerships and ecosystems ( Brunetti et al., 2020 ). It emphasizes that digital transformation requires more than standalone interventions, as nonprofits must first focus on training and adapting organizational vision before investing in technology. The study also highlights the need for technical and soft skills to support data-driven decision-making. Key tools for big data include data analysis software and visualization tools, and a learning, collaboration, and agile culture must be developed to leverage big data technology fully integrated. Challenges include a lack of management awareness, underfunded talent initiatives, and a disconnect between senior leadership and middle management ( Kavanaugh, 2020 ).

Fostering a culture of lifelong learning and adaptiveness is essential for navigating the evolving digital landscape. The fast-paced changes in today’s business environment highlight the growing demand for skilled professionals, especially as big data technology emerges ( Lee & Kim, 2020 ). Successful adoption requires a collaborative approach between public institutions, educational entities, industry, and community organizations ( Persaud, 2021 ), which needs hard and soft big data skills to drive data-informed decisions. However, qualified professionals are scarce ( Anderson & Williams, 2019 ), and many lack competency evaluations to help assess and address skill gaps, which hinders progress. Prioritize talent development and training programs supporting technical and interpersonal competencies ( Nair, 2019 ) to fill the generational differences also affect learning preferences, with Gen X favoring flexibility and self-direction and Gen Y being highly motivated when given engaging, purposeful instruction ( Lowell & Morris, 2019 ).

The Senior executives, IT managers, or business managers employed by nonprofit organizations across the US make up the target population (see Table 1 ). The data was gathered from the target population using a random sampling technique (see Demirel 2022 ), and survey tool was asked to recruit study participants. As stated by the U. S., 1,369,470 nonprofit managers, or 8 percent of the total, are listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) (see Table 2 ). Sixteen million people are working for nonprofit organizations in the US, according to Ariella (2022) . Inviting participants to collect data to create a sample population comes next after determining the target population.

Note: Nonprofits account for roughly 10% of jobs in the United States ( U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022 ).

Note: Data retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) .

Using power calculation with an integrated statistical calculator displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI), Utilized an online analysis tool to determine the random sampling population from the target population. The value used in the calculation is a confidence level of 95%, and the error margin corresponds to a value of α = 1 − 0.95 = 0.05. According to the information obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) , there are about 1,369,470 nonprofit managers worldwide, and the survey of 385 people comprises the entire sample population administered using a survey tool and contained survey questions to gather information on technical training and the use of big data technologies.

The UTAUT model constructs serve as the theoretical basis for this investigation ( Venkatesh et al., 2003 ). Eight different models have been empirically compared to the UTAUT model to develop a cohesive approach. Included in these eight models are the following: the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Technology Acceptance Model, the Motivational Model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, a model that combines the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology Acceptance Model, the Model of PC Utilization the Innovation Diffusion Theory and the Social Cognitive Theory ( Wedlock & Trahan, 2019 ). According to original data tests, the UTAUT model performed better than these eight separate models ( Lawson-Body et al., 2020 ).

The UTAUT model is not just used to study information technology adoption, it has been extensively validated in various fields. It has also been tested in management, social psychology, and marketing because it shares similarities with numerous other theories and frameworks. The UTAUT model is very flexible, and its development has been followed by a sizable number of studies conducted in various contexts and integrating various disciplines. Its ability to work with other models and theories makes it a strong foundational theory for nonprofit organizations ( Fadzil et al., 2019 ). Harris et al. (2018) note that although this topic has been studied, it has not been thoroughly examined and as a result, there is limited information in the past three to five years of peer-reviewed research regarding whether nonprofit managers receive the training necessary to utilize big data technology for overseeing business operations. Due to the legacy practices followed by big data technology, its adoption often requires more profound understanding and acceptance ( Chauhan & Sood, 2021 ). While the topic has been explored, more research is needed to assess the correlation between the independent variable of technical training and the dependent variable of big data technology use, thereby addressing the research gap. Furthermore, there is a shortfall in the current peer-reviewed literature regarding empirical findings on business managers’ perspectives on the adoption and training of big data technology ( Harris et al., 2018 ).

How do nonprofit managers differ in technical training (facilitating conditions) using big data technology compared to managers who have not used big data technology to manage business operations?

H0: Nonprofit managers differ in technical training (facilitating conditions) and do not use big data technology to manage business operations.

Ha: Nonprofit managers differ in technical training (facilitating conditions) do-use big data technology to manage business operations.

Participants were given access to a structured survey instrument based on UTAUT to gather data. I have been granted written permission to use this published instrument ( Queiroz & Pereira, 2019 ), using survey questionnaire data in the collection process to determine whether technical training, an independent variable, predicts the dependent variables’ use of big data technology that was determined by conducting correlation and linear regression using measure and comprehend the statistical analysis because the participants in this nonexperimental design are chosen at random, and the independent variable is not altered.

In order to test the hypothesis, a statistical calculation was performed on the data collected from the survey participants that allowed for observing whether the p-value was below the chosen alpha level, which signifies that the test failed to reject the null hypothesis ( Maennig et al., 2022 ). According to Cabrera-Sánchez and Villarejo-Ramos (2019) , two big data researchers, the UTAUT model needs to keep improving to offer more compelling justifications for why new technologies are adopted. The quantitative data was collected using closed-end survey questionnaires, limiting respondents to what they were expected to answer. The respondents specified their level of agreement by selecting the most appropriate option on the 7-point Likert scale that allows measuring the result in numerical values. The scale of measurement used in the Likert scale is continuous and interval scale. A survey on big data technology was gathered from nonprofit managers across the United States as part of the planned research design. A 7-point Likert scale rating was used to interpret the survey questions, which aligned with the research question with responses recorded on a 7-point Likert scale (1 being strongly disagreed and 7 being strongly agreed.

The final sample population resulted in 385, which met the minimum required for this study, and the data were exported into SPSS (Version 28). The study assessed the relationship between technical training (independent variable) and big data technology use (dependent variable) using correlation and linear regression ( Frankfort-Nachmias et al., 2020 ). Both variables were measured on an interval scale, and univariate analysis showed that the data was clustered around the Mean with a low standard deviation. The sample consisted of 385 nonprofit managers, primarily female (73%) and aged 41 - 50 years (22.1%). The sample size of females with less than one year of big data experience has an impact. Therefore, this raises concerns about how well these results represent the broader population of nonprofit managers, which could limit the ability to generalize the findings to all nonprofit managers ( Table 3 and Table 4 ).

Many respondents had less than a year of experience with big data technology. In Figure 1 , the histogram shows the plotted point distribution close to a straight line at a 45-degree angle, bell-shaped and symmetric around the mean. It indicates the independent variable technical training and shows that the distribution is approximately normal, indicating normality. The geographical distribution throughout the United States allows focusing on regions where participants are located (see Figure 2 ). The East North Central region has a significant percentage (20.26%) of participants, followed by Mid Atlantic (17.92%). New England has the fewest participants (5.19%). The geographical distribution shows the involvement of the nonprofit by region.

The data distribution was normal, and hypothesis testing showed a significant relationship between technical training and big data use. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r = 0.580) indicated a moderate positive correlation, with a p-value less than 0.05, supporting rejecting the null hypothesis ( Laureate Education, 2016 ).

$r=\frac{{{\displaystyle \sum }}_{i=1}^n\left(X_i-Xˉ\right)\left(Y_i-Yˉ\right)}{\sqrt{{{\displaystyle \sum }}_{i=1}^n{\left(X_i-Xˉ\right)}^2{{\displaystyle \sum }}_{i=1}^n{\left(Y_i-Yˉ\right)}^2}}$

r is the Pearson correlation coefficient. X_i and Y_i are the individual data points for variables X (use of big data technology) and Y (technical training). X⁻ is the Mean of X (use of big data technology). Y⁻ is the Mean of Y (technical training). In Table 5 , N = 385 is the number of observations. Pearson Correlation Coefficient r = 0.580. Significance (p-value) < 0.001, indicating the Correlation is statistically significant at the 0.01 level. Sample Size N = 385. This means that for the given dataset of 385 observations, the linear relationship between the use of big data technology and technical training is moderately positive (r = 0.580) and is statistically significant at the 0.01 level.

**Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

In Table 6 , a large F-statistics is the variation among group Mean has a higher value indicating evidence against the null hypothesis indicating that result is statistically significant and p-value less alpha (α) having statistical significance regression model, F (1, 383) = 193.726, p < 0.001.

^aDependent variable: Use of big data technology. ^bPredictors: (Constant), Technical training.

The regression equation y = a + b × x, where y is the dependent variable use of big data technology on the y-axis, x is the independent variable technical training plotted on the x-axis, “b” in Figure 3 has a value of =0.58 which is the slope of the line and “a” has a value of =2.229 of is the y-intercept, therefore y = a + b × x = 2.229 + 0.58 × x. The regression indicates a positive correlation of an upward slope on a scatterplot between the use of big data technology and technical training.

The findings show a favorable correlation between big data technology use and technical training, and the model predicts an increase of 0 - 413 units for every unit increase in technical training (one-tenth of a standard deviation). Although many studies have clarified the adoption of 4.0 technology in the industry, more research is still required on UTAUT theoretical framework training (facilitating conditions) ( Khin & Kee, 2022 ). Thus, the results of this study demonstrate that training (facilitating conditions) positively impacts decisions to use industrial 4.0 big data technology and requires operational resources such as qualified personnel with technical expertise. Technical training is necessary for qualified professionals to possess the knowledge of business operations and experience of overseeing the current operations.

Although the study acknowledges certain limitations, the discussion fails to provide a thorough analysis of these issues, leaving the potential implications for the study’s validity and generalizability insufficiently explored and largely unexplained. The constraints noted in this study are that it is necessary to measure the size of nonprofit organizations by looking at small nonprofits with fewer managers managing various tasks to achieve organizational objectives. On the other hand, large organizations employ a high level of work specialization to function more effectively. Respondents are less tech-savvy and require more technical expertise to understand technology, as evidenced by the majority of participants having less than a year of experience with big data technology. There is a closed-ended question in the survey tool. A previously validated instrument is used for data collection to get around the limitations. Nonprofit managers operating abroad who do not share U. S. characteristics might not find the research findings applicable to US nonprofit entities. The study does not provide a detailed examination of the specific types of technical training participants received or assess how effectively these training programs developed the big data skills necessary for nonprofit management. Therefore, the study does not delve into the specific types of technical training and effectiveness in developing relevant big data skills.

Exploring the effectiveness of technical training on factors like learning time, teaching format, and quiz evaluation for mobile or web interfaces. Investigating the relationship between technical training and big data technology across different levels of nonprofit organizations and examining the need for new technical skills in response to technological advancements, ensuring efficient access to current learning materials, identifying training needs, and assessing their competencies to align with emerging big data technology. Assess whether technical training programs meet objectives, align with general skill sets, and evaluate their impact on decision-making. Investigating the cost-effectiveness of technical training on productivity and manager development. Further exploring big data technology and AI for cognitive decision-making algorithms in nonprofit systems, enabling improved decision-making and societal impact. Using diverse nonprofits across regions to validate the study’s findings. Although UTAUT offers a helpful framework, the study could gain a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon by integrating additional pertinent theories related to organizational learning, technology adoption, or nonprofit management to provide a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon.

A significant portion of the work in this article originates from a doctoral study at Walden University.