The development of competitive intelligence (CI) in South Africa with special reference to the CI practices in a pharmaceutical company
type: CreativeWork
description: Competitive intelligence (CI) is one of the fastest growing fields in the business world South Africa included; yet little quantitative research has been conducted or published on the development and use of CI in South Africa. CI is concerned with the methods companies use to monitor their competitors, their own competitive position, and to improve their competitiveness. It is not a new business activity but modern CI is more focused, formal, organised and actionable. CI is not an activity limited to a few countries or companies in certain industries; it is a worldwide phenomenon. Most of the Fortune 500 companies use CI extensively. Literature shows some countries such as France, Japan, Sweden and the USA to be more advanced in their embracement of CI as a means to enhance competitiveness. In these countries, CI is a recognised business discipline and has become a major source to achieve competitive advantage. They are also developed in terms of the role government plays in supporting CI activities. Another indicator of CI as a growing practice worldwide is the development of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP). Globally, SCIP chapters have taken root in all continents. Moreover, SCIP Europe, SCIP Italia, SCIP Australia and SClP Deutschland are part of a growing worldwide network of SCIP affiliates, i.e. independent organisations that have formally affiliated with SCIP. Leaders in the field of CI training are France, Japan, Israel, Sweden, and Korea while Europe is beginning to appreciate the importance of CI as a corporate tool. Some practitioners suggest that in the near future, all MBA programmes in Europe will include CI as a core subject and that the investment community will be looking at companies' track records in terms of their CI practices (Blagg, 2002). In comparison, CI in South Africa is still in its infancy (Muller, 1999). However, with South Africa's competitive landscape being reshaped, the need for CI as a means to enhance …
abstract: Competitive intelligence (CI) is one of the fastest growing fields in the business world South Africa included; yet little quantitative research has been conducted or published on the development and use of CI in South Africa. CI is concerned with the methods companies use to monitor their competitors, their own competitive position, and to improve their competitiveness. It is not a new business activity but modern CI is more focused, formal, organised and actionable. CI is not an activity limited to a few countries or companies in certain industries; it is a worldwide phenomenon. Most of the Fortune 500 companies use CI extensively. Literature shows some countries such as France, Japan, Sweden and the USA to be more advanced in their embracement of CI as a means to enhance competitiveness. In these countries, CI is a recognised business discipline and has become a major source to achieve competitive advantage. They are also developed in terms of the role government plays in supporting CI activities. Another indicator of CI as a growing practice worldwide is the development of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP). Globally, SCIP chapters have taken root in all continents. Moreover, SCIP Europe, SCIP Italia, SCIP Australia and SClP Deutschland are part of a growing worldwide network of SCIP affiliates, i.e. independent organisations that have formally affiliated with SCIP. Leaders in the field of CI training are France, Japan, Israel, Sweden, and Korea while Europe is beginning to appreciate the importance of CI as a corporate tool. Some practitioners suggest that in the near future, all MBA programmes in Europe will include CI as a core subject and that the investment community will be looking at companies' track records in terms of their CI practices (Blagg, 2002). In comparison, CI in South Africa is still in its infancy (Muller, 1999). However, with South Africa's competitive landscape being reshaped, the need for CI as a means to enhance …
author: Muller, Marié-Luce
keywords: Competitive intelligence (CI), Planning and focus, Key intelligence needs, Communication, Awareness and culture, Process and structure, CI process, CI unit, Collection, Analysis
date published: 2004
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:33:45Z
provider: North-West University (South Africa)
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: North-West University

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/220