Title: Parallel competitive intelligence processes in organisations

Authors: Patrick T. Gibbons, John E. Prescott

Addresses: Division of Strategy and Information Systems, School of Accountancy and Business, Nanyang Technological University, Nanyang Avenue, 2263 Singapore. ' Katz Graduate School of Business, 252 Mervis Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA

Abstract: This paper outlines a model of competitive intelligence processes in organisations. Specifically, it defines the simultaneous gathering and analysis of competitive information by line managers and formal scanning units as the parallel intelligence process. It then reports an empirical test of the model. Organisational attempts at integrating line managers| efforts with formal organisational intelligence processes were investigated. The findings suggest that single integrating mechanisms were not used alone; instead, multiple mechanisms were used in combination to link the paths of the parallel process. Explanations are outlined and conclusions drawn to relate these findings with theoretical assertions advanced in the strategic process literature.

Keywords: competitive intelligence; parallel processes; integrating mechanisms; competitive information; information gathering; information analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1996.025425

International Journal of Technology Management, 1996 Vol.11 No.1/2, pp.162 - 178

Published online: 22 May 2009 *

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