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

The aim of this study was to identify the data collection properties of cricket coaches, using the first stage of the 4Cs Competitive Intelligence (CI) process model of Weiss as framework. Semi-structured interviews were performed with high-level cricket coaches in South Africa. Content analysis was performed by developing a codebook through the creation of theory and data-driven codes with ATLAS.TITM computer assisted qualitative data analysis software. Codes were thematised into the what, where, who and how of data collection as well as challenges cricket coaches face. Overall, coaches indicated that they make use of various sources of information on competitors, own team and the environment. Data collection is usually performed by numerous persons within the team set-up and a variety of information formats are utilized. The main findings of the study indicated that easy available sources are not effectively utilized, data collection processes are not performed in a structured manner and coaches need skill development regarding data collection and analysis. Furthermore, the lack of technology as well as the absence of a person who can collect data and a shortage of skills by the person who is responsible for data collection, are the main challenges coaches face.

This paper emphasizes the importance of considering internal and external communication of intelligence within the competitive intelligence (CI) process. The internal communication of intelligence is defined as transferring and sharing intelligence within organization and the external communication of intelligence as transferring and sharing intelligence between competitors. Both types of communication are considered as essential parts of the CI process as a whole. Understanding the way of communication of the intelligence within one organization and between competitors can help organizations build more effective competitive intelligence system. This should be treated as an essential component of the CI system and added to the usual process of gathering, analyzing and disseminating valuable competitive intelligence, in order to make organization more competitive. The paper refers to the results of research made in the faculties of management in Serbia. On the basis of the results, the original model of CI system has been built, using internal and external communication of intelligence as a key factor for improving CI process and, consequently, as a key competitiveness factor in hypercompetitive economy

Social media analytics, competitive intelligence, and dynamic capabilities in manufacturing SMEs

The purpose of this study is to explore the aspects of management of competitive intelligence process in Tunisian companies. This exploratory study was conducted using semi-in-depth interviews with six executives in six companies in Tunisia. The results revealed by this study that the competitive intelligence as a competitive tool is unknown to the vast majority of Tunisian companies. It is not still a formalized stage, but it is in an embryonic way. Second, two most important of information are collected: profiles of potentials customers, and opportunities in new market. Thirdly, for analysing and synthesising information the results indicate that managers knows and uses the majority of methods to analyze competitive information gathered especially in making decisions that fall the marketing department. Fourthly, all companies spend most of their time in collecting information. Although planning what and how to collect information and analysis they receive relatively less attention. This research suggests that overriding influence on successful competitive intelligence process is the existence of a management support, culture and structure, which encourage and develop competitive intelligence activities in companies.

This paper aimed to develop a data-based technological innovation framework focused on the competitive intelligence process. Technological innovations increasingly transform the behavior of societies, affecting all sectors. Solutions such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence provide and benefit from a vast generation of data: large data sets called Big Data. The use of new technologies in all sectors increases in the face of such innovation and technological mechanisms of management. We advocated that the use of Big Data and the competitive intelligence process could help generate or maintain a competitive advantage for organizations. We based the proposition of our framework on the concepts of Big Data and competitive intelligence. Our proposal is a theoretical framework for use in the collection, treatment, and distribution of information directed to strategic decision-makers. Its systematized architecture allows the integration of processes that generate information for decision making.

The relevance of the study lies in the need to implement competitive intelligence processes in an organization in view of the constantly growing level of competition in order to ensure economic stability. Currently, in the scientific literature, there are no clear recommendations for organizing these processes, and the proposed models of traditional organizational structures have a number of disadvantages. At the same time, it is important to remove a large number of factors that influence the decision to create a full-time competitive intelligence unit, such as company size, financial capabilities and the level of industry competition. The purpose of the study is to characterize existing models of organizing processes for conducting competitive intelligence and propose our own approach to the implementation of these processes. The main task is to develop a model for organizing competitive intelligence activities. The article pays special attention to the analysis of the relationship between the frequency of competitive intelligence and the results of the operating activities of organizations, and draws conclusions about the main problems of introducing the practice of conducting competitive intelligence at the present stage. During the study, general scientific methods were used, such as analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction. As a result of the study, information on available approaches to the implementation of competitive intelligence processes is summarized and their characteristics are given, a model for organizing competitive intelligence activities using the scrum method and an automated platform for collecting information about the external and internal environment is proposed.

The field of competitive intelligence is growing as organisations are looking to increase their competitive advantage in a global society. As this field grows, so does the research and academic literature on this practice. While theory that specifically focuses on competitive intelligence may be limited, theories from other popular and related fields such as management and psychology have been used to explain or guide some the popular competitive intelligence processes with the competitive intelligence cycle. This paper attempts to lay a foundation of relevant theory from previously published literature on competitive intelligence by mapping these theories against the six identified competitive intelligences processes. The qualitative approach used to achieve this was a literature analysis, involving thematic analysis through a process of coding. The resulting consolidation and processing of these theories led to the development of a useful framework from which other current and future theories can be added, paving the way for further theory development in the field of competitive intelligence.

Competitive Intelligence ReviewVolume 4, Issue 1 p. 51-52 Regular Column Take us to your leader Ben Gilad, Ben Gilad Benjamin Glad is an Associate Professor of Management at Rutgers University, Dept. of Business and an international consultant on competitive intelligence processes, Newark, NJ, 071 02. CI professionals interested in more information can contact Mr. Gilad at 201-385-3455. Fax: 201-385-5725.Search for more papers by this author Ben Gilad, Ben Gilad Benjamin Glad is an Associate Professor of Management at Rutgers University, Dept. of Business and an international consultant on competitive intelligence processes, Newark, NJ, 071 02. CI professionals interested in more information can contact Mr. Gilad at 201-385-3455. Fax: 201-385-5725.Search for more papers by this author First published: Spring 1993 https://doi.org/10.1002/cir.3880040111 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume4, Issue1Spring 1993Pages 51-52 RelatedInformation

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of strategic thinking skills of executives on competitive intelligence in high competition intense industries. The concept of strategic thinking represents a cognitive process that was examined along with system thinking, creativity and vision dimensions. On the other side the concept of competitive intelligence was evaluated with the dimension of competitive intelligence context and the competitive intelligence process as a process that represents the systematic collection of information about competitors through legal and ethical ways. In this study, the concepts of strategic thinking and competitive intelligence are examined around the related literature and to what extent these concepts are related to each other was investigated as well. Since the research on this relationship has a unique attribution, it contributes to the related literature. To test the model formed in line with the main purpose of the research, data were collected from 628 executives, who work in five high competition intense automotive industries and three communication industries, using a questionnaire method. The developed hypotheses were evaluated with appropriate analysis methods. In addition, industrial differences were revealed by comparing the two industries with appropriate analyses. According to the findings of the analysis, the strategic thinking skills of both executives participating in the research as well as the executives working in both industries have a positive and meaningful effect on their competitive intelligence. The study has made a significant contribution to the literature in terms of examining and explaining the relationship between the concepts of strategy and competition through the interaction of strategic thinking and competition intelligence.

The concept of competitive intelligence (CI) as a process has long been proposed as an effort to increase a firm's competitiveness and its strategic planning process. The core objective in CI is to predict what is going to happen in an environment and then develop appropriate responses to either take advantage of it or help to shape the environment. Because of the nature of the collecting of information in the CI process and the sphere of competitive rights in which this activity operates, the participants in the process must ensure that they act in accordance with the law. The values enshrined in the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996, are also relevant to this process. They include, among other things, the right to information, to freely participate in the economy and the right to privacy. The law of delict determines when the gathering of information in this process becomes illegal and in particular when it amounts to unlawful competition. The difficulty with the legal aspects of the CI process is that the legality of each and every aspect of the CI process has to be determined in view of the particular circumstances. A thorough knowledge of the legal implications of the CI process is therefore crucial. Such knowledge is to the advantage of the particular business, both in preventing unlawful actions and in utilizing the right to information to its full extent.

Dear Editors, Congenital factor X (FX) deficiency is an extremely rare, bleeding disorder with an estimated incidence of one per 1 million. Patients with severe FX deficiency (FX:C < 1%) demonstrate a wide spectrum of serious clinical presentations, including hemarthrosis, hematoma, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and umbilical cord bleeding.1 In fact, severe FX deficiency, with a high rate of life-threatening bleeding, is the second-most severe, rare coagulation factor deficiency (RCFD) after FXIII deficiency.1, 2 Although homozygotes are at risk of severe bleeding, heterozygotes usually are asymptomatic, but postsurgical bleeding or bleeding after childbirth may occur.1, 2 Other risk factors can increase the risk of bleeding in FX deficiency, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new medical challenge, could affect the patient's bleeding or thrombotic tendency.3 COVID-19, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents an enormous challenge for everyone, especially for those with underlying risk factors such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and renal failure. Age and male sex are other risk factors.4 Limited data are available regarding the effect of COVID-19 on patients with congenital bleeding disorders (CBDs), particularly RCFDs.5 It has been shown that hypercoagulability-related adverse consequences are less common among patients with CBDs, at least in those with moderate-to-severe deficiency, but further studies, including our ongoing work on a large number of patients, are required.5 Although there are several reports of newborns among infected pregnant mothers, this is the first report of such a case in an RCFD. This case report may help medical professionals to better manage similar cases. A 19-year-old pregnant woman was infected with SARS-CoV-2 early in the 9th month of pregnancy. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed the infection. The patient had been in close contact with family members with confirmed COVID-19. The patient had cough and fever. Due to the mild presentation, she was given Azithromycin and advised to isolate herself at home. The symptoms resolved within 14 days. At end of her 9th month, three days prior to the planned cesarean section, she was rechecked for SARS-CoV-2 infection; her RT-PCR was negative. She successfully underwent cesarean section without complications and delivered a healthy full-term baby. Therefore, mother and newborn discharged the following morning. In the evening, the baby experienced bloody vomiting and was hospitalized for further assessment, which showed GI bleeding. At admission, laboratory tests showed a positive C-reactive protein (CRP) (qualitative), a low hemoglobin level, and prolonged prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (Table 1). He was hospitalized in the neonate intensive care unit (NICU) for 10 days. Due to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, on the third day after admission he was tested by RT-PCR, which was positive. The neonate received 30 mL frozen plasma (FFP) six times over 10 days, which resolved the GI bleeding. Tranexamic acid (TXA) was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 8 hours. Due to lack of COVID-19 symptoms, he did not receive any special treatment for the disorder. After 10-day hospitalization in the NICU, the neonate was sent to an isolation room for 5 days, during which his condition stabilized, after which he was discharged in stable condition. He has had no complications during the past two months after discharge. Since the child's father and two other first-degree family members have severe FX deficiency, and the parents of the baby are closely related, the mother and the baby were checked for FX deficiency. Routine coagulation tests, and FX:C assay performed by STA Compact automatic coagulometer (Stago, Paris, France), revealed a severe deficiency in the baby, and a mild deficiency, compatible with heterozygote FX deficiency, in the mother (Table 1). >60 (PTC: 12.6) 90 (PTC: 12.6) >60 (PTC: 10) 13 (PTC: 10) >120 (APTTC: 31) 100 (APTTC: 30) >120 (APTTC: 32) 37 (APTTC: 32) COVID-19 is an emerging medical challenge that can present more difficulties for those with special conditions, such as pregnant women and newborns. Due to alterations in cellular immunity, pregnant women are more prone to infection by intracellular pathogens like viruses.6 The fetus is also highly susceptible to infection due to immaturity of the immune system.7 Furthermore, the mother's (heterozygote) congenital coagulopathy and that of her newborn (homozygote) were additional potential risk factors, because a disrupted coagulation system is a prominent feature of SARS-CoV-2 infection.8 To date, FX deficiency in a newborn has not been cited anywhere as a special condition requiring close attention in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection. According to the few reports to date, SARS-CoV-2 infection is a risk factor for severe maternal morbidity. It is worth noting that most of those mothers were discharged without complications.9 From a clinical aspect, fever was the most common symptom (68%) at the time of admission.9 This was also observed in the affected woman of this study. SARS-CoV-2 infection can even affect the type of delivery. A systematic review of these women showed that about 92% of deliveries were by cesarean section, less than 10% being the usual vaginal delivery (7 of 85). Fetal distress was mentioned as the most common indication for cesarean section. Our patient underwent a planned cesarean section, due to her previous history. The delivery itself was uneventful, and a healthy baby was delivered, while among other reported cases, a number of complications have been noted.9 As with most other reports, the infant did not have any symptoms at the time of delivery and was discharged the day after birth.9 In a case series of 10 patients, various first clinical presentations were observed, including shortness of breath (n = 6), fever (n = 2), vomiting (n = 1), and rapid heart rate (n = 1).10 In the case at hand, bloody vomiting was the first clinical presentation. In the same case series, one died due to refractory shock, multiple organ failure (MOF), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Another patient with severe presentation was managed by intravenous infusions of gamma globulin, platelets, and plasma, which was suggestive of the effectiveness of gamma globulin in severe cases. The author recommended early use of intravenous gamma globulin for passive immunization.10 GI bleeding in our case was successfully managed by administration of FFP and TXA. In addition to thrombotic complication, bleeding is not infrequent in patients affected by COVID-19, with GI bleeding seemingly the most common hemorrhagic manifestation among adults. GI bleeding, with a frequency of 40%, was observed among neonates from affected mothers.3 On the other hand, GI bleeding is also a relatively common presentation among severely FX deficient patients.1, 2 In fact, GI bleeding can occur in children with severe FX deficiency within the first months of life. It seems that such patients are prone to experience severe bleeding, such as ICH, later in life, in the absence of an appropriate therapeutic strategy, most likely preventative regular secondary prophylaxis.1, 2 In one study of 102 patients with congenital FX deficiency, GI bleeding has been reported in 12% of symptomatic cases.1 In this case, with GI bleeding being a common presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection and congenital FX deficiency, it cannot definitively be attributed to one or the other. Close monitoring of such cases is necessary to decrease related adverse consequences. Although it seems that COVID-19 is less severe in adults with CBDs, it is a less-known issue among children and newborns with CBDs. Further reports and studies could provide clarity. Due to their severe bleeding tendency, close monitoring of patients with severe congenital FX deficiency is mandatory, even without potential SARS-CoV-2 infection. And close monitoring of neonates with infected mothers is mandatory to prevent severe consequences. Patients with concomitant infection with SARS-CoV-2 require even more rigorous preventative and supportive care. We highly appreciate Daisy Morant's valuable aid in improving the English Language of this manuscript. The study was supported and approved by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The authors have no competing interests. A. Dorgalaleh designed the work, performed laboratory analysis, and wrote the manuscript. F Ghazizadeh, M. Baghaipour, A. Dabbagh, Gh. Bahoush, and N Baghaipour performed clinical studies. Sh. Tabibian, M. Jazebi, N. Baghaipour, M. Bahraini, A. Fazeli, and F. Yousefi performed laboratory analysis. All the authors approved the submission.

International Journal of Gynecology & ObstetricsVolume 158, Issue 1 p. 232-233 CORRESPONDENCE Response: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the comparative effects of dienogest and the combined oral contraceptive pill in women with endometriosis Gelareh Niakan, Corresponding Author Gelareh Niakan g.niakan59@gmail.com School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Correspondence Gelareh Niakan, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), P.O. Box: 1445613131, Tehran, Iran. Email: g.niakan59@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this authorMajid Ebrahimpour, Majid Ebrahimpour Department of Psychology, Qaenat Branch, Islamic Azad University, IranSearch for more papers by this authorLeila Allahqoli, Leila Allahqoli School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSearch for more papers by this authorBabak Hassanlouei, Babak Hassanlouei Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSearch for more papers by this author Gelareh Niakan, Corresponding Author Gelareh Niakan g.niakan59@gmail.com School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Correspondence Gelareh Niakan, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), P.O. Box: 1445613131, Tehran, Iran. Email: g.niakan59@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this authorMajid Ebrahimpour, Majid Ebrahimpour Department of Psychology, Qaenat Branch, Islamic Azad University, IranSearch for more papers by this authorLeila Allahqoli, Leila Allahqoli School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSearch for more papers by this authorBabak Hassanlouei, Babak Hassanlouei Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSearch for more papers by this author First published: 27 April 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14202 [Linked article: This correspondence comments on the Letter to the Editor from Hirsch et al.: ( https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijgo.14188). Read the full textAboutRelatedInformationPDFPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessClose modalShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume158, Issue1July 2022Pages 232-233 RelatedInformation RecommendedRe: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study of the comparative effects of dienogest and the combined oral contraceptive pill in women with endometriosisMartin Hirsch, James M. N. Duffy, Cindy M. Farquhar, endo:outcomes, an international collaboration harmonising outcomes and outcome measures for endometriosis research, International Journal of Gynecology & ObstetricsA randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study of the comparative effects of dienogest and the combined oral contraceptive pill in women with endometriosisAbolfazl Mehdizadeh Kashi, Gelareh Niakan, Majid Ebrahimpour, Leila Allahqoli, Babak Hassanlouei, Georgios Gitas, Ibrahim Alkatout, International Journal of Gynecology & ObstetricsA double‐blind randomised controlled trial of laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation for women with chronic pelvic painN.P. Johnson, C.M. Farquhar, S. Crossley, Y. Yu, A.M. Van Peperstraten, M. Sprecher, J. Suckling, BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & GynaecologyDesogestrel‐only contraceptive pill versus sequential contraceptive vaginal ring in the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis infiltrating the rectum: a prospective open‐label comparative studyUmberto Leone Roberti Maggiore, Valentino Remorgida, Carolina Scala, Emanuela Tafi, Pier L. Venturini, Simone Ferrero, Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica ScandinavicaA single‐blind, randomized, pilot study of a brief mindfulness‐based intervention for the endometriosis‐related pain managementMarcelo de França Moreira, Olga Lucia Gamboa, Marco Aurelio Pinho Oliveira, European Journal of Pain

Localized Information Acquisition

PurposeKnowledge about competitive environments is a determinant factor for the success of a firm, as it may allow it to anticipate threats and opportunities in its market. This study aims to explore variables that enable or prevent an employee’s intrinsic motivation to share knowledge. It studies the collection and sharing of information that may be a signal of future competitive moves in competitive intelligence (CI) processes.Design/methodology/approachCanonical correlation was used by utilizing survey data from a company. The study was based on the self-determination theory relating intrinsic motivation to behavior.FindingsThe study confirms the importance of different aspects motivating knowledge sharing behavior, such as information system’s support, top management support and information feed-back.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to one company, respecting the limitations of a case study, but external validation was impossible to test. Findings showed a strong correlation of some variables with intrinsic motivation and are coherent with other studies in the knowledge sharing field.Practical implicationsFirms introducing knowledge sharing processes should pay attention to the importance of information system support. The relationship with people involved is also important, as in supporting their collaborations and giving feed-back to contributions. Sustaining intrinsic motivation seems a fundamental aspect to the process’ success.Originality/valueThe study indicates the relation of different variables of motivation with motivation. It explores knowledge sharing in a CI process, an important process in firms nowadays. It shows important aspects that ensure continuity of knowledge sharing as informational feed-back and top management support. Canonical correlation was also used, a technique not frequently explored and useful to study correlation among groups of variables.

This article has two objectives. The first is to study the concepts of Competitive Intelligence and Dynamic Capabilities, aiming to verify if the stages of the competitive intelligence cycle can constitute stimulating elements for Dynamic Capabilities in organizations. The second goal is to understand how the competitive intelligence process is dealt with in medium- and large-sized companies in Brazil, grounded on opinions by specialists on the topic (scholars, researchers and consultants). For its consecution, besides the literature review on the subject, information was collected by means of in-depth interviews and, seeking triangulation of data, a comparative research was conducted on similar studies. It is a qualitative research that applies content analysis as its technique for investigation. The study supports that the routines in the stages of the competitive intelligence cycle and the abilities required for its operationalization foster the mobilization of Dynamic Capabilities in organizations. Competitive Intelligence, through a suitable development of the activities established in its phases, promotes the perception for change (sensing) and provides the necessary intelligence for the acquiring of the knowledge which will be the foundation for action (seizing), thus contributing for the continuous reinvention of the business (transforming). On the other hand, evidences suggest that Competitive Intelligence practices are still in their embryonic stages of application in Brazilian companies, and therefore need efforts for further qualification and consolidation.