Defining a Basis for the New Concept of Competitive Intelligence

• Main Author: František Bartes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mendel University Press 2014-01-01
• Series: Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis
• Subjects: competitive intelligence; new concept of CI; bases for solutions; two-level activity of CI; legality of CI; ethics of CI
• Online Access: https://acta.mendelu.cz/62/6/1233/

The present paper discusses the basis for the new concept of Competitive Intelligence because the author considers the currently existing concept of Competitive Intelligence as inadequate which fact is documented in the publications by some authors. The aim of the paper is to propose some basic approaches to the new concept of Competitive Intelligence which might be able to ensure the creation of materials for the strategic decision-making of a company in the challenging business environment. The methods applied in the paper are: analysis, synthesis, comparison, and deduction. In the following part of the paper the author explains his bases for the new concept of Competitive Intelligence. The bases of the author’s concept of Competitive Intelligence are the following: a) Competitive Intelligence as a forecast of the future, b) emphasis of directing Competitive Intelligence to the area of strategic management, c) Competitive Intelligence is viewed as a system application discipline, d) the information is viewed in connection with the analyst’s person, e) Competitive Intelligence works on the principle of a government intelligence service, f) two-level activity of Competitive Intelligence, g) in the final report of Competitive Intelligence there must be a proposal for the hypothesis realised by the competitor, h) Competitive Intelligence is understood as an engineering activity, i) emphasis on the application of legality and ethics in the activity of Competitive Intelligence. Even though some of these bases are generally recognised already, they have never been published in summary. This summary of bases is subsequently reflected in the new work of Competitive Intelligence as the creator of materials for strategic decision-making of the company’s top management.