Competitive intelligence key players within firms: The case of high-technology European firms

Abstract

Competitive Intelligence (CI) key players remain poorly identified in existing firms. Previous studies disagree as to the identification of those responsible for producing the CI process. Facing this reality, this study aims to map employees who directly or indirectly participate in this process of information management within firms. In other words, who practices the CI process within a firm? To answer this question, an empirical study was conducted on a sample of 153 high-technology European firms. Results indicate that the role of the top management is essential, but that middle management participates heavily in the CI process with information experts. Nevertheless, our findings show that employees remain non-participatory in the process.