Competitive Intelligence in Technological Innovation: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Abstract[Purpose/Significance] This paper makes an exploratory study on the competitive intelligence activities in technological innovation, trying to find out the use mode, function and influencing factors of competitive intelligence in technological innovation. [Method/Process] Through literature review, eight research questions are drawn out, and the corresponding interview outline and questionnaire are designed. Field interview and questionnaire survey are carried out on 43 high-tech enterprises in Jiaxing City of China, and descriptive statistical analysis is carried out on the returned questionnaires. [Result/Conclusion] (1) The most frequently used intelligence in technological innovation is direct competitor intelligence, followed by indirect competitor intelligence, and finally potential competitor intelligence. (2) There is no total difference in the use of competitive intelligence between incremental innovation and fundamental innovation, but there are structural differences. (3) The most frequently used competitive intelligence is in the commercialization stage, followed by the creative stage, and finally the development stage. (4) The main way for enterprises to collect competitive intelligence is through direct way, less through indirect way. (5) In technological innovation, enterprises are more concerned about the current state of competitors than the future state (6). The support of competitive intelligence for technological innovation ideas is mainly reflected in effectiveness, followed by feasibility, and finally novelty. (7) The role of competitive intelligence in technological innovation is mainly in improving products, followed by improving the marketing. (8) The main factors affecting competitive intelligence activities in technological innovation are individual factors, followed by organizational factors.KeywordsTechnological innovationCompetitive intelligenceCompetitorInformation