The growing availability of data and the emergence of business analytics ecosystems offer possibilities for companies developing innovative business models. However, the disruptive impact of these business models on society is not always judged favourably. This paper explores the growing tensions in the relationship between disruptive Big Data companies and society through the lens of legitimacy – a judgement about the fit and propriety of an entity, such as a company, to society. The study is based on four instrumental cases where Big Data organisations were faced with challenges to their legitimacy. The findings elaborate how digital transformations require companies to understand and manage how much to disrupt and how much to conform to social norms and values. Big Data businesses face a dynamic and paradoxical tension between the potential costs and benefits of their disruptive business models. The topic of legitimacy management is also addressed, drawing out implications for practice.

数据可用性的不断增长和业务分析生态系统的出现为公司开发创新业务模式提供了可能性。然而，这些商业模式对社会的破坏性影响并不总是得到积极评价。本文从合法性的角度探讨了颠覆性大数据公司与社会之间日益紧张的关系，合法性是对实体（例如公司）与社会的适合性和适当性的判断。该研究基于四个重要案例，在这些案例中，大数据组织面临着合法性的挑战。研究结果详细阐述了数字化转型如何要求公司了解和管理多大程度的颠覆以及多大程度的符合社会规范和价值观。大数据企业面临着颠覆性商业模式的潜在成本和收益之间动态且矛盾的张力。还讨论了合法性管理的主题，并提出了对实践的启示。