Competitive intelligence failures

Identifying the information behavior in competitive intelligence process: a paradigm model for medical sciences universities

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and design a paradigm model for universities' information acquisition behavior in competitive intelligence process.

Design/methodology/approach

The sampling has been conducted in two stages. First, purposive sampling has been done among Iranian universities of medical sciences. Second, 20 university staff members were selected using the snowball method. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The purpose of acquiring information in competitive intelligence process is to meet organizational and individual information needs in active and passive ways. The characteristics of information acquisition and how to acquire it are varied. Enablers include the information sources, individual, organizational characteristics and environmental pressures. Barriers are individual, organizational, environmental factors. The consequences of information acquisition are success, failure and partial success. Accordingly, a paradigm model of information behavior has been designed.

Originality/value

This is the first study to identify information behavior of universities in competitive intelligence process. In addition to why and how to acquire information, this study also looks at facilitators and barriers factors.

Competitive intelligence practices in Japanese companies: multicase studies

Purpose

This study investigates competitive intelligence (CI)-related practices in companies, including process, scope and organizational structure. As these aspects have not been sufficiently discussed in the literature, the study objective is to determine (1) the type of CI process being employed, (2) whether the CI scope is limited to competitor analysis or spans a broader business environment and (3) whether the CI process and scope vary depending on organizational CI.

Design/methodology/approach

An interview was conducted at two types of Japanese companies: one established a CI department to implement CI, whereas the other did not establish a CI department and conducted CI in an ad hoc manner. Multicase studies were performed to examine companies with different organizational structures.

Findings

The CI scopes included a broad range of factors (e.g. technology, customers, markets, suppliers, economy, society, politics, legislation and regulation), and not only competitor analysis. An established CI department did not guarantee a well-organized CI process. Furthermore, the lack of such a department did not preclude systematic CI processes or activities.

Originality/value

The authors classified the CI in the companies the authors inspected as either systematic (organized CI) or ad hoc (unorganized CI) methods. The advantages and disadvantages of both are discussed. The authors found the promotion mechanisms in company-wide CI process, which can cause intelligence transfers from CI to absorptive capacity processes.

Understanding extended information seeking

Purpose

This study aims to explore the mechanisms of extended information seeking, which is the combination of extended information technologies (IT) use behavior and information-seeking behavior. The purpose is to identify the factors that shape extended information seeking from the perspectives of psychological empowerment and attachment.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed based on prior theory and literature. Survey data were collected, and the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling was used to verify the research model.

Findings

Psychological empowerment is a well-constructed second-order construct, having a larger positive effect on extended information seeking. Digital libraries attachment has a positive effect on extended information seeking.

Practical implications

Accessing digital libraries does not mean using digital libraries effectively. Managers of digital libraries should design various specific information activities to help users enhance psychological empowerment. They should provide more available and responsive services for users to enhance digital libraries attachment.

Originality/value

Drawing on the adaptive structuration theory, this study examines extended information seeking by combining extended use of digital libraries and information seeking, presenting a new lens for digital library and information seeking research.