Title: Competitive intelligence: evidence from Turkish SMEs

Authors: Mehmet Ali Koseoglu, Kemal Karayormuk, John A. Parnell, Michael L. Menefee

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Cankiri Karatekin University, Cumhuriyet Mah, Sehit Pilot Ustegmen Erdem Ozturk Sok, No. 12 Kat. 6 P.K. 18100, Cankiri, Turkey. ' Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Afyon Kocatepe University, Ahmet Necdet Sezer Kampusu, Gazligol Yolu, 03200, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. ' School of Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA. ' School of Business, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA

Abstract: This study investigates competitive intelligence (CI) applications of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey. Specific areas of interest include the information gathering process, CI resources, measurement of efficiency, areas where CI-related activities are conducted, contentment throughout the CI process, factors preventing CI activities from being performed, benefits of CI, and perceptions of how CI-related activities are carried out by rivals. Data was collected from SMEs located in the Afyonkarahisar province in Turkey. Results suggest that satisfaction with CI applications does not vary according to sector and employee size. Moreover, whether the CI activities are performed from strategic or tactical viewpoints does not appear to be a function of sector. Suggestions for future research are proposed.

Keywords: competitive intelligence; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; competitors; competition; Turkey.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2011.041664

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2011 Vol.13 No.3, pp.333 - 349

Published online: 21 Oct 2014 *

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