COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE IN THE KNOWLEDGE-BASED ORGANISATION

Knowledge-based organizations (KBO) are usually considered to be those whose product or service is knowledge-intensive. The characteristics of a KBO, however, go beyond product to include process, purpose and perspective. Process refers to an organization’s knowledge based activities and processes. Purpose refers to its mission and strategy. Perspective refers to the worldview and culture that influence and constrain an organization’s decisions and actions. In order for organizations to remain globally competitive, new tools for decision-making are required. Of these tools, it is internationally recognized that Competitive Intelligence (CI) is fast becoming a norm rather than the exception to assist management with decision-making in the modern knowledge-based organization. The purpose of competitive intelligence in the organization is to support and lead to management decisions and action. There exists a clear and concise link between competitiveness and the process of innovation. Innovation depends on a number of factors for success. Of these factors, information and intelligence are believed to be primary drivers. The main purpose of this paper is to explain the need for competitive intelligence in KBO and to present a model for the implementation of competitive intelligence in the KBO and the involvement of the information professional in the competitive intelligence process.