Canadian competitive intelligence practices – a study of practicing strategic and competitive intelligence professionals Canadian members

foresight ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 577-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Calof
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Canadian Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communication Methods

Purpose With intelligence (a field related to foresight) practice growing, the purpose of this study was to examine the practices of Canadian competitive intelligence (CI) practitioners. Design/methodology/approach Survey of Canadian CI practitioners who are SCIP members (Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professional), using a revision to a previously used instrument designed to examine competitive intelligence practices. Findings Canadian SCIP member competitive intelligence practices seem to be more formalized than those found in the global SCIP study in 2006 with 84.8 per cent having a manager with CI responsibilities, 61 per cent with a formal centralized CI unit and only 9 per cent responding that CI was done informally. Intelligence units were generally smaller with 38 per cent having one full-time CI resource and 41 per cent having between 2 and 4 full-time resources. Additional findings on information sources used, analytical techniques used, evaluation methods and communication methods are reported. Research limitations/implications Despite getting responses from close to 50 per cent of SCIP members, the small sample size (79) makes it difficult to generalize the results beyond the Canadian SCIP environment and limits the testing that can be done. Originality/value The last study on Canadian competitive intelligence practices was in 2008, thus part of the originality of the study was getting more recent information on corporate intelligence practice. In addition, this is the first Canadian study to focus specifically on known intelligence practitioners (SCIP members). Past studies focused on companies in general regardless of whether respondents knew what competitive intelligence was or practiced CI.

Unsubstantiated conclusions about the Family Star Plus as an outcome measure: a rebuttal to Sweet, Winter, Neeson and Connolly (2020)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Good ◽  
Joy MacKeith
Keyword(s):  
Ordinal Data ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Outcomes Measures ◽  
The Family

Purpose The purpose of this article is to explain why Sweet et al.'s assertions are not well founded and raise unsubstantiated doubt over the use of the Family star Plus and the Outcomes Star suite of tools as outcomes measures. Design/methodology/approach Evidence is presented of flaws in the analysis, reporting and conclusions of an article published in this journal (Sweet et al., 2020). Findings Sweet et al. failed to mention a body of Outcomes Star validation work, including over 20 online reports and a manuscript they had seen of a now published article supporting the reliability and validity of the Family Star Plus (Good and MacKeith, 2020). There are significant issues with their methodology, presentation of results and conclusions including: reliance on statistical significance with a small sample size; use of statistics not intended for ordinal data and; and inappropriate conclusions from convergence with measures conceptually different to the Family Star Plus. Originality/value Evidence is presented that the Family Star Plus is a useful and valid outcome measure and that Sweet et al.’s conclusions can be attributed to issues with their methodology and interpretation.

The impact of firm size on competitive intelligence activities

foresight ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 563-577
Author(s):  
Jonathan Calof
Keyword(s):  
Firm Size ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Business Analytics ◽  
Large Firms ◽  
Process Variables ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Given the importance of competitive intelligence (CI) to the economic performance of firms, understanding whether CI practice is impacted by firm size or by their awareness of CI maybe important when creating programs designed to improve firms’ CI performance. This paper aims to address this by examining the extent to which the CI practices of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large firms differed using a sample of firms with knowledge/awareness of CI. Design/methodology/approach A survey was developed that included 10 CI organization questions and 67 CI process questions. The survey was sent to a sample with awareness/knowledge of CI – strategic and CI professionals (SCIP) members and individuals who had attended SCIP events T-tests were then used to compare the SME’s and large firms’ responses to the 10 CI organization and 67 CI process questions. Findings For firms with CI awareness/knowledge, the study results suggest that size has very little relationship with CI practice. Of the 10 CI organization variables, only two were significantly different between the SME’s and the large firms. Large firms had more full-time CI staff and were more likely to have a formal intelligence unit compared to the SME’s. Of the 67 CI process variables, only four were significantly different between the SME’s and the large firms. Large firms made more use of company intranet for distributing CI findings use business analytics software and use commercial databases for information than SME’s while the SME’s used social media, in particular Facebook more than large firms, in their competitive intelligence activities. Originality/value This study uses a sample frame of firms with CI awareness/knowledge in examining differences between SME’s and large firms CI practices.

Reluctant managers: Methodist ministers and management

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 680-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Guerrier ◽  
Christopher Bond
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Language And Identity ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Size Limits ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a research from a study undertaken with Methodist circuit ministers in the UK and those that work closely with them. It considers in what way and to what extent ministers think of themselves as managers and to what extent and in what way they are expected to perform as managers by those they work with. Design/methodology/approach – The research that informs this paper was gathered through a qualitative study which involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with 22 participants both Methodist ministers and those who worked closely with them. Findings – The study shows that, whilst those who work with ministers typically do not problematize management and expect managers to be able to perform management tasks, the ministers themselves are ambiguous about or rejecting of the discourse of management. Research limitations/implications – The relatively small sample size limits generalizability. Practical implications – The study challenges trainers in this context and in other contexts where the “language” of management is contested or rejected to find a discourse of management which is acceptable. Originality/value – The study contributes to the small body of literature on management and the development of managers within religious organizations. It contributes to the literature on managerial identity and the importance of management language in becoming a manager by presenting an example where this language and identity is contested or rejected.

scholarly journals Competing paradigms of flood management in the Scottish/English borderlands

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Cook ◽  
John Forrester ◽  
Louise Bracken ◽  
Christopher Spray ◽  
Elizabeth Oughton
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Regimes ◽  
The Government ◽  
Innovative Techniques ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how flood management practitioners rationalise the emergence of sustainable flood management. Key to this analysis are differences rooted in assumptions over what flood management is and should do. Design/methodology/approach – The popularity of natural flood management offers a case with which to explore how a dominant framing persists and how individuals at the government-public interface negotiate different visions of future flood management. The authors draw on the perceptions of flood experts, elucidating a deep hold amongst a professional community “grounded” in science and economics, but also their desire to innovate and become more open to innovative practices. Findings – The authors show how the idea of “sustainable” and “natural” flood management are understood by those doing flood management, which is with reference to pre-existing technical practices. Research limitations/implications – This paper explores the views of expert decision making, which suffers from challenges associated with small sample size. As such, the findings must be tempered, but with recognition for the influence of a small group of individuals who determine the nature of flood management in Scotland. Practical implications – The authors conclude that, in the context of this study, a technical framing persists by predetermining the criteria by which innovative techniques are judged. Originality/value – Broadly, these findings contribute to debates over the evolution of flood management regimes. This recognises the importance of events while also emphasising the preparations that shape the context and norms of the flood management community between events.

scholarly journals Why make the effort? Exploring recovery college engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Harper ◽  
Mick McKeown
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Whilst there is growing evidence to suggest that the recovery college (RC) environment supports students towards their mental health recovery (Meddings et al., 2015b), students’ initial motivations for engagement, alongside factors that may hinder or support attendance, have yet to be exclusively explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach All new RC students were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview three months following their enrolment. Four participants completed an interview which were later analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Four themes emerged within analysis: making the effort; being “too unwell”; friendly environment; and glad I came. These are discussed alongside the literature, and it is proposed that whilst there is a substantial struggle involved in engagement with a RC, likely related to mental health and social factors, the RC environment, peer support and support of the tutors helps students to overcome the impact of this. Research limitations/implications Due to the small sample size and exploratory stance of this study, additional research into the complexities around engagement with RCs is strongly recommended. Only students who had attended at least one RC course chose to participate in this study, therefore an under-researched population of non-attendees may provide a valuable contribution to further understanding. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to qualitatively explore factors which may support, or hinder, initial and ongoing engagement with a RC. It is proposed that a greater understanding of these important issues could be used to increase RC accessibility and inclusion.

scholarly journals Contemporary young motherhood: experiences of hostility

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Fearnley
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Young Mothers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate the hostility many young women who are also mothers experience within their everyday lives.Design/methodology/approachThe paper will draw on qualitative research, incorporating a narrative approach, to illustrate the hostility many young mothers experience on a daily basis. The research design included a focus group, semi-structure interviews and participant observations.FindingsThe paper reports the findings of a study that explored the experiences of young women who are also mothers. The author presents the findings that indicate that many young women, who are also young mothers, experience hostile reactions and interactions as part of their everyday lives.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample size means that this study cannot be generalised, but it does contribute to the growing body of qualitative evidence in relation to young mothers.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that there needs to be more recognition and acknowledgement of the hostility young women experience. Such hostility could have deleterious consequences on the young women, their parenting ability and also on the children.Originality/valueThis paper documents the experiences of young women who are also mothers and how they experience hostility as a daily occurrence. The hostility ranged from verbal to non-verbal and how they felt they were being treated, inferences about their sexuality to stereotyping.

Ethnically diverse workplaces in Irish hospitals

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1015-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Bobek ◽  
Camilla Devitt
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospital Managers ◽  
Communication Problems

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the ethnically diverse workplace in Irish hospitals by examining the perspectives of foreign- and Irish-born professionals and their managers. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 30 health professionals (foreign- and Irish-born) and with hospital managers (Irish-born). All interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings The managers and professionals interviewed mostly perceived ethnically diverse workplaces as an asset. Health professionals also identified a number of challenges, including internal divisions based on ethnicity, language and communication problems and cultural differences. However, in general, discrimination on the basis of ethnicity was not highlighted by interviewees. Research limitations/implications While the qualitative design of the study allowed for an in-depth exploration of experiences in ethnically diverse workplaces in selected Irish hospitals, the relatively small sample size poses some limitations. The study brings to light the need for larger-scale survey-based research on the ethnically diverse workplace in Irish hospitals, which includes Irish- and foreign-born health professionals in the sample. Originality/value The study includes a variety of perspectives on experiences in ethnically diverse workplaces in Irish hospitals, including foreign-born health professionals, their Irish-born colleagues and hospital managers.

scholarly journals Usage of e-journals in French business schools

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Leduc ◽  
Joachim Schöpfel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Log File

Purpose – The paper of this paper is to explore the usage patterns of e-journals in French business schools. Design/methodology/approach – The paper exploits COUNTER-compliant usage statistics from a nationwide usage study with data from journal collections of an international academic publisher. Findings – With regard to online collections, the usage appears to be relatively intensive, especially when compared to usage statistics from universities in the same fields. This result may reflect an emerging research activity in business schools and a projected and required international orientation. However, the study also reveals important differences between schools, a fact that should not be overestimated because of the small sample size, even if the sample is a representative of French business schools. Research limitations/implications – The paper uses empirical data from a national usage study to identify specific patterns in business schools. It does not integrate qualitative survey data or deep log file analysis. Originality/value – Very few studies provide empirical evidence of e-journal usage in business schools. The paper enhances the knowledge on usage in specific environments in higher education. This is the first usage study with French business schools.

Visual perceptions of snack packages among preschool children

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R. Nelson ◽  
Brittany R.L. Duff ◽  
Regina Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Point Of Purchase ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Preoperational Stage

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the perceptions of the visual packaging of snacks and nutrition knowledge among preschool children. Packages serve as persuasive media at the point of purchase. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper 13 interviews with four-year-olds were conducted. Children sorted seven snacks that implied fruit into categories based on perceptions of fun, taste, parent’s choice and “nutrition”. Children also drew trees with food that would make them healthy or not healthy. Findings – Children attended to the package elements more than the product. All children selected the character fruit snack as their preferred choice; however, perceptions for fun and taste varied among snacks. Perceptions of healthiness showed evidence of heuristics (e.g. sugar = bad; fruit = good). Some children were able to understand that their parents’ choices may be different from their own. Research limitations/implications – Because of the small sample size, it is not possible to generalize results to all children. Children seemed to understand that the character may not convey “healthy” or “taste”, but they still chose the snack with a character. Practical implications – Children as young as four can understand nutrition heuristics and may/may not use those heuristics in product preferences. Social implications – Children may be able to reason about their own preferences and others’ preferences at a preoperational stage of development. Originality/value – Previous research indicates that older children are attracted by characters. The findings show that younger children also prefer characters but may be capable of disentangling the various associations of “characters”.

Halal certification or ingredient disclosure

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 765-781
Author(s):  
Shuko Takeshita
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourist Destinations ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Low Diversity

Purpose The purpose of this study is to clarify what is really needed to attract Muslim tourists by comparing the two main approaches to serving food with halal certification or with ingredient disclosure. Design/methodology/approach This research adopted a comparative analysis of a Group promoting “halal certification” and a Group promoting “ingredient disclosure” mainly from the tourists’ perspective. Taito Ward, Tokyo, encourages restaurants to obtain halal certification, while the approach of Takayama City is to disclose the ingredients. The study compares the advantages and disadvantages of these two approaches and also investigates factors influencing them. Findings This study revealed that Muslim tourists would like to see both halal certification and ingredient disclosure. The reason why Taito Ward and Takayama City pursue different strategies can be summarized in three points: the types of food offered in the two areas, the vastly different scales of the two areas as tourist destinations and the different perspectives of their respective advisors. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the low diversity of the origins of Muslim tourists. However, this research is still significant because few academic studies on halal certification have been done from the tourists’ perspective. Originality/value There are many things that could be done to attract Muslim tourists. Even without halal certification, there are many restaurants that can cater to Muslims in Japan. A little consideration and thoughtfulness on the part of restaurants can enhance the probability of attracting Muslim tourists.

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