Conceptual Relationship between Information and Communication Technologies and Competitive Intelligence Activities

This paper aims to describe the conceptual relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT) and competitive intelligence (CI) by emphasizing the role of ICT in support of knowledge processes specific activities relevant to the viability of the organization. Assessing the value and role of ICT to support CI activities requires an understanding of the relationship between the two. This study argues that starting from either the ICT or CI side to this relationship and linking to the other, as most studies do, cannot secure a fully adequate conception of ICT’s value and role to CI. In such context the challenge is to find an appropriate approach in the relationship itself and use it as a possible pattern for developing an understanding of both ICT and CI. For this reason, the paper starts with a brief overview of CI function and continues with a review of the possible uses of ICT in the activities of intelligence. The third section of the study aims to analyze the relationship between ICT applications and CI function. Finally, this study describes a number of problems identified in the use of ICT applications to support intelligence activities within organizations and also it discusses possible solutions to resolve these deficiencies.