Competitive intelligence (CI) helps company to make right strategic decision in uncertain competitive environment. Many companies do different kinds of marketing research, but still have not adopted CI tools yet, especially in those countries where they have just started to implement instruments of free market economy. This could be related to Russian situation. The thesis is organized into three chapters. Competitive intelligence theory is explained in the first chapter. In the second chapter tools and techniques of competitive intelligence are discussed. Here the main tools are explained. Implementation of competitive intelligence tools is explained in third chapter of this thesis. Here we see developing new marketing strategy for restaurant chain by using competitive intelligence tools. 'Rosinter Restaurant Holding' is a leading casual dining chain operator in Russia. The main focus is made on 'Planet Sushi' restaurant chain in Omsk region. In this chapter we see implementation of competitive intelligence tools in marketing department while creating new strategy.

The content of this thesis is the introduction of Competitive Intelligence and its methods to companies in the chemical industry. The main objective of this work is to create particular solution of Competitive Intelligence for Lovochemie, a.s., i.e. to propose competent employee who will be periodically monitor the selected information resources using Competitive Intelligence software tools. The analyses were used to achieve this objective. At first analysis of the chemical industry was conducted in the Czech Republic and also in the world and analysis of the selected company has been created. Information resources that the company should follow through Competitive Intelligence tools were selected on the basis of this information. The first part deals with the introduction of Competitive Intelligence, intelligence cycle CI, strategic analysis methods and Competitive Intelligence tools for searching and monitoring of information on the Internet. The second part is devoted to the aforementioned analysis. At first the chemical industry is analysed and the world's biggest fertilizers producers are described. This section also introduces the company called Lovochemie, a.s., its competitors, suppliers and customers. In the last part of this thesis, the information resources available to the company and selected Competitive Intelligence tools are described. Finally, the particular solution for Lovochemie is created.

To determine the extent to which Competitive Intelligence is used by South African companies to achieve a competitive advantage

There are ethical concerns on how competitive intelligence (CI) is practiced. CI is mainly confused with industrial espionage or sometimes smeared with harmful unethical conduct. The assumptions have negative implications for the full recognition of CI as a profession and the reputation of the practice on, industries or firms and performance. In an attempt to address these concerns, the Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) developed a CI code of ethics. However, critics of CI claim that the CI code of ethics has not been adopted by CI professionals, firms and industries. Moreover, there is very little evidence, if any, on how ethical theory influence the adoption of CI. In response to the critics, this study aimed at developing a CI Ethics Adoption Model (CIEAM) that will be the premise for analysing factors that positively or negatively influence the adoption of a CI code of ethics. This study followed interpretive structural modelling to identify core determinants of CI ethics adoption. Based on extracts from literature, a web-based questionnaire was designed, validated by CI experts and empirically/quantitatively tested by 184 South African ICT firms. The results reveal that South African ICT firms have adopted CI ethics to an absolute extent and utilises different CI ethics enforcement methods. The results also reveal that organisational and stakeholders’ factors, business ethics and ethical theories, decision-making factors, CI practice factors, raising CI ethics awareness, and CI ethics challenges are the core determinants for the adoption of CI ethics and are components of the CIEAM. In practice, the CIEAM may minimise unethical conduct by some CI professionals, and the confusion of CI with espionage, whilst improving the credibility and recognition of the CI profession. The model may also serve as a valuable tool for practitioners and scholars who need to measure the adoption of CI ethics across different business sectors. Theoretically, it may serve as input to the development of CI policies and CI ISO standards in the ICT industry and related industries. Recommendations are made towards the application of the model in other industries. / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Management)

Competitive Intelligence (CI) has become increasingly important for organisations in the private sector, or profit-making organisations, because the level and intensity of competition has increased in recent years. This increase in the level and intensity of competition has also affected the public sector, or non-profit-making organisations, such as Public Service departments. In South Africa, the Public Service departments have undergone significant changes, in order to rectify the injustices of the past. Despite much progress, it is noticed that government does not have sufficient capacity to deliver and sustain a quality service to its citizens. It is further noted that improved service delivery cannot be implemented by issuing of circulars only, and it is not just an administrative activity, instead it is a dynamic process and to do this, Public Service managers require new management tools. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) was chosen as the case study Public Service department for this study. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how competitive intelligence tools and techniques could be implemented in Public Service departments in South Africa to enhance the delivery of services. This aim was established during this study by addressing the following issues: • Identifying how CI tools and techniques could contribute to the functioning of the Public Service sector. The study outlined the benefits of CI for public service organisations and focussed on several tools and techniques that could be used. Most of these tools and techniques were not used in DHA. • Assessing the current state of Public Service delivery in South Africa. It became evident from the study that the Public Service sector and in particular DHA was experiencing several problems in terms of achieving its service delivery mandate. The Department lacked structured and formal frameworks, policies and strategies for conducting its operations. The organisation was viewed to have many unskilled and de-motivated staff. The current state of service delivery in South Africa also revealed disturbing findings of corruption, fraud, nepotism, and extreme despair in staff that had to work in these conditions. • Identifying gaps in the Public Service current strategies for service delivery. It was established that DHA does not use reliable techniques and methods when conducting its strategic planning. Furthermore, staff lacked the competencies, skills and experience to assist in strategic planning. The existing strategic plan for DHA does not address the future desires of the organisation and can be regarded as a plan to address the immediate issues of the organisation only. • Identifying the forms of competition that impact service delivery in Public Service departments in South Africa. Several forms of competition were encountered at DHA. These forms of competition can be divided into three different areas namely internal competition in DHA, external competition and left field competition. The information about these forms of competition was not readily available to managers and decision makers therefore appropriate actions could not be taken to counteract the impact of the competition on service delivery. • Identifying initiatives adopted by Public Service departments to improve service delivery. It was evident from the study that while the new initiatives being implemented by DHA to improve service delivery would be able to, and in some cases, have already had a positive impact on the operating and service delivery environment, several concerns were also identified. • Designing a new CI related framework for gathering and analysing information that can be used in all Public Service departments in South Africa to improve service delivery. From the empirical investigations it became evident that no single CI tool or technique would have been able to address the situation at DHA, therefore, a combination of tools was necessary. These tools were depicted in a CI framework that DHA could use to gather and analyse information for decision making and service delivery. • Suggesting proposed solutions and recommendations that can assist Public Service departments in South Africa in improving its service delivery. It was evident that CI can contribute towards the enhancement of decision making and service delivery not only in DHA but also in all other Public Service departments in South Africa. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Information Science / unrestricted

This thesis examines the Competitive Intelligence behaviour and attitude antecedents of SME decision-makers in a funded environment in France. As a leader in CI national policy programmes, France draws attention to the imbalance between European nations on the tangible support afforded to SME communities. This two stage sequential mixed method study within the pragmatic paradigm evaluates Competitive Intelligence as a public policy to enhance SME sustainable competitiveness. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with the directors of 15 Competitive Intelligence programmes at French Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Guided by the structure and Theory of Planned Behaviour, the findings from this qualitative phase were then used to develop a research instrument to test research questions that relate to behaviours, attitudes, background factors, choice of CI advisor, terminology, and perceived constraints. In this second stage data was obtained via questionnaire from 176 SME decision makers in the Rhône-Alpes and Ile de France regions, for the two sectors of Automobile and Telecoms. The findings show that tangible results have been achieved despite resistance from small businesses in regard to their Competitive Intelligence practices. The thesis uncovers innovative practices to change SME awareness, attitude, and practices of Competitive Intelligence. Evidence of significant relationships between terminology usage, advisor choice, and SME decision-maker attitudes towards CI practices provides insight for future behaviour intervention programmes and future research. The contribution of this study of SME Competitive Intelligence practices is a five stage Competitive Intelligence typology overlaid by corresponding CI manifestations. The findings will be of interest to future initiatives by public/private partnerships in both CI programme design and implementation. The originality of this study is the investigation of SME CI behaviour and attitude antecedents in a funded environment. The findings from this study will be of interest to SME managers, current and future government CI support programmes, and the academic community.

Motivated by the lack of models that can bring a general preparation formula for developing competitive intelligence in Trade Show, the authors researched in a theoretical database to develop a model that can bring a general vision for a company that wants to start to organize the personnel to gather competitive intelligence in trade show events.          Furthermore, was discovered that not many firms do actually realize the opportunities they have to acquire competitive intelligence in trade shows, that way the model was developed to facilitate the process.         The discovering of the research pointed Socialization as well as relationship building and strengthening were the main channels to acquire information. In addition, Trade Shows create a rich environment where most of the stakeholders are present and also willing to share knowledge and information, creating an even more favorable place to develop this kind of intelligence.         The model presented takes in consideration the company’s stakeholder, and how to allocate personnel in booths and in extensive research around the area, it also classifies the visitors and attendees in different groups, facilitating the organizing process to understand and explore more easily and efficiently the Trade Show. The models also suggest approaches to each group in order to don’t invest resources in an ineffective way.

O conhecimento e consequentemente a inteligência passaram a ser umas das principais fontes de vantagem competitiva das empresas, dadas as grandes mudanças nas conjunturas dos mercados. Essa necessidade de inteligência, permeia todos os agentes produtivos que compõem o mercado, inclusive o do agronegócio. Tendo isso em mente, o objetivo central desta pesquisa foi propor um método para o processo de inteligência competitiva que consolide e integre a literatura de inteligência e contemple os aspectos críticos da indústria de insumos agropecuários no Brasil, considerando a hipótese de que que os métodos contemplam de forma superficial às necessidades específicas desse setor, e que um método mais específico poderia ser construído. Para atingir esse objetivo foram empregadas as seguintes estratégias de pesquisa: a) Pesquisa bibliográfica (desk research) e análise documental como um método de pesquisa integrado e complementar; b) Realização de entrevistas com especialistas; e c) Construção de método. Dessa forma, o resultado foi a construção de um método de inteligência competitivo para empresas de insumos do agronegócio brasileiro composto de nove etapas. A hipótese foi aceita e concluiu-se que este método atendeu aos objetivos propostos, pois reuniu a literatura existente, inclusive com conceitos digitais atuais (Big Data e Data Mining), além de atender às necessidades e especificidades do setor ao focar em seus aspectos críticos / The knowledge, and therefore, intelligence became one of the most important sources of competitive advantage for companies, given the markets\' major recent changes. This need for accurate intelligence, for those who really need it and on the time that it is needed permeates all agents, of all markets, in all sectors, including the agribusiness, one of the Brazil\'s most important economic sectors, specially the agribusiness input companies. With that in mind, this research\'s the main objective was to propose a framework for the competitive intelligence process that consolidates the literature regarding competitive intelligence and contemplates the Brazilian agribusiness\' input sector critical aspects. The hypothesis was that the existing frameworks contemplate superficially the sector\'s specific needs, due to the concepts\' generality and that a more specific framework could be built, taking into consideration the characteristics of that sector. To achieve this objective the following research strategies were employed: a) Bibliographic research (desk research) and documental analysis as an integrated research method; b) Interviews with specialists; and c) Framework construction. Therefore, the result was the construction of a competitive intelligence framework form Brazilian agribusiness\' input companies with nine phases. The hypothesis was accepted and in conclusion, this framework met the proposed objectives because it integrated the existing intelligence literature, including contemporary digital concepts such as Big Data and Data Mining, in addition to answering the sector\'s specific needs by focusing on its\' critical aspects

Le cycle de l‟information, de la collecte à la dissémination, est central en intelligence économique. D‟autre part, depuis quelques années, le web 2.0, le web inscriptible a modifié la face d‟internet. Nos travaux ont pour sujet l‟étude de l‟impact que ce fameux web 2.0 a sur le cycle en question et nous proposons des méthodes et outils afin de tirer parti de ce nouveau paradigme, et ce, pour chaque étape du cycle / The information cycle, from collection to dissemination is a cornerstone in competitive intelligence. On the other hand, in recent years, web 2.0, writable web, changed the face of the Internet. Our work is to study about the impact that web 2.0 has on the famous cycle and propose methods and tools to take advantage of this new paradigm, and this for each stage of the cycle

<p>Access to correct and updated intelligence about our environment is in an increasingly degree considered important in the private as well as in the public sector. At Mälardalens University, competitive intelligence as an area of research is closely related to Information Design - a multidisciplinary consideration which goal is to improve the receiver´s understanding of intended messages. This study was conducted in order to find out how Information Design was represented</p><p>in different kinds of literature regarding Competitive Intelligence. Also, it describes the main focus areas concerning Competitive Intelligence in the same literature. Through an explorative "pearl-growing" method combined with searches through referrals, 60 different sources provide a broad basis for analysis. Results state that considerable differences between the sources exist regarding approach and focus, although some major similarities are visible as well. However, in the examined literature, Information Design reveals itself as a subject of slight importance at best.</p> / <p>Tillgång till korrekta och uppdaterade underrättelser om vår omvärld betraktas i allt högre grad som viktigt i såväl den privata som den offentliga sektorn. Vid Mälardalens Högskola relateras omvärldsanalys som vetenskapsområde till Informationsdesign - en tvärvetenskaplig disciplin vars mål är att öka förståelsen hos mottagaren av avsiktliga meddelanden. Studien genomfördes för att ta reda på hur informationsdesign behandlades i olika slags litteratur om omvärldsanalys. Dessutom beskriver den huvudsakliga fokusområden kring omvärldsanalys i samma litteratur. Genom en explorativ ”pearl-growing”-metod kombinerad med referenssökningar ger 60 olika</p><p>källor en bred bas för analys. Enligt resultaten finns avsevärda skillnader mellan källorna beträffande infallsvinkel och fokus, även om en del stora likheter också är synliga. Informationsdesign, emellertid, visar sig i den undersökta litteraturen vara ett område av i bästa fall underordnad betydelse.</p>