Competitive Intelligence in the Enterprise

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-64
Author(s):  
Relebohile Moloi ◽  
Tiko Iyamu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Sociotechnical Theory

Due to increasing challenges, as well as competitiveness, many organisations have sought advantaging and beneficiary techniques and options. One of those options is through Competitive Intelligence (CI) products, which some organisations have come to rely upon for sustainability and competitive advantage. Unfortunately, and to some degree, fortunately, there are different CI products which organisations could choose from. The products are supposed to be selected and deployed based on organizational requirements from both technical and business perspectives. Some organisations deploy more than one competitive intelligence product. Others are not guided, and do not understand the essence of the deployment, regarding achieving the organisational objectives. The fortunate and unfortunate situations which occur in the deployment of CI products in organisations are drawn from relationships amongst stakeholders in the selection and implementation processes. The relationships are manifested from control of sources which use the power for decision making. The relationships emanate from the fact that there are no proper comparisons of the products, driven by requirements. As a result, the organisations are faced and challenged with duplication and waste of resources. They struggle to determine their competitive advantage. This situation further manifests the complexity of technical and business artefacts. Case study research was conducted to understand how CI products are deployed in the organisation. A sociotechnical theory, actor-network theory was employed in the analysis of the data, primarily to examine and understand how control of resources for power defined and shaped relationships.

Understanding the Deployment of Competitive Intelligence Through Moments of Translation

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiko Iyamu ◽  
Relebohile Moloi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Primary Motivation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Goals And Objectives

Organisations employ different strategic tools such as Competitive Intelligence (CI) to enable and support their goals and objectives, periodically. Unfortunately, the tools do not seem to resolve the challenges that they were deployed for. This could be attributed to the fact that there is too much focus on the tools, and less attention on the social interaction which occurs in the process. The CI is deployed by many organisations primarily to collect and analyse relevant data for decision making, and competitive advantage. However, CI products are deployed in various ways, and in different contexts. CI products differ in many ways such as in terms of compatibility and functionalities that they offer. These are some of the factors that are driven and shaped by non-technical interplay. How organisations deploy CI products has been a challenge, and it is difficult to understand. Some organisations did acquire CI products, unfortunately, they could not make use of it as intended. This is attributed to compatibility challenges which they encountered during the implementation of the product. This is the primary motivation for this article. A qualitative case study research was conducted in order to examine how CI products are deployed in organisations. Analysis of the data was done, using the Moments of Translation from the perspective of actor network theory to understand how the interaction and interplay amongst actors, shapes and deployment of CI in the organisation that deploys it.

Critical Analysis of the Roles of Actors in the Deployment of Software

2015 ◽  
pp. 135-152
Author(s):  
Tefo Sekgweleo
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Heterogeneous Network ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Software Deployment

Many organizations resort to software deployment with the intention to simplify their daily activities, and for competitive advantage. The deployment consists of two main phases, development and implementation. Unfortunately, software doesn't always fulfil the organization's intentions. This is attributed to numerous factors, some of complex nature, which happen among humans, non-humans, and between humans and non-humans actors during development and implementation of software. Case study research was conducted to understand the roles of actors, and how their actions and interactions impact the development and implementation of software in the organization. Actor Network Theory (ANT) was employed in the analysis of the data. The theory focused on activities including the negotiation among actors which happened within heterogeneous network.

scholarly journals Trajectory and exhibition of a time-based media work. ‘The drawing of the girl running away from her support’ (2014), by Ana Vieira (1940-2016)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Gomes ◽  
Rita Macedo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Contemporary Art ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Necessary Conditions ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Video Installation ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Running Away ◽  
Media Work

Ana Vieira (1940-2016) left a set of installations without systematised documentation or set guidelines. In an attempt to preserve her legacy, heirs have promoted exhibitions as a way to document the tangible and intangible characteristics of these complex works. In 2017, there was an attempt to reinstall the video installation The drawing of the girl running away from her support at the Graça Morais Contemporary Art Centre, but without success. However, in 2019, the necessary conditions were met for its reinstallation at the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Through this case study and based on Latour's Actor-Network-Theory, it was demonstrated that the exhibition is a crucial moment in the trajectory of the work and in the analysis of a network of agents, human and non-human, giving rise to documentation that is essential to inform future decision-making.

scholarly journals Trajectory and exhibition of a time-based media work. ‘The drawing of the girl running away from her support’ (2014), by Ana Vieira (1940-2016)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Gomes ◽  
Rita Macedo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Contemporary Art ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Necessary Conditions ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Video Installation ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Running Away ◽  
Media Work

Ana Vieira (1940-2016) left a set of installations without systematised documentation or set guidelines. In an attempt to preserve her legacy, heirs have promoted exhibitions as a way to document the tangible and intangible characteristics of these complex works. In 2017, there was an attempt to reinstall the video installation The drawing of the girl running away from her support at the Graça Morais Contemporary Art Centre, but without success. However, in 2019, the necessary conditions were met for its reinstallation at the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Through this case study and based on Latour's Actor-Network-Theory, it was demonstrated that the exhibition is a crucial moment in the trajectory of the work and in the analysis of a network of agents, human and non-human, giving rise to documentation that is essential to inform future decision-making.

Sustainable development concept and creation of innovative business models by retail chains

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Bilińska-Reformat ◽  
Barbara Kucharska ◽  
Malgorzata Twardzik ◽  
Les Dolega
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Retail Chains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to recognise the areas of implementation of the principles of sustainable development (SD) in the model of retail chains activity. In the paper, the assumption was made that nowadays it is necessary to adopt the rules following SD while making strategic decisions by retail chains. Design/methodology/approach The study uses secondary data sources, reports, academic literature and the case study research method. A case study research is a multi-method paradigm based on full range of a scientist’s tool-kit: reviewing literature studies, examining secondary documents and comparing the websites of investigated retail chains. Findings According to that business model, the authors were recognising selected components of this model, that is to say: recourses and competences of retail chains and value proposition for their customers. The greatest chances of development will be enjoyed by those retail chains that will be able to provide real value to customers. Maintaining a competitive advantage will require constant improvements in the quality of service and innovative business models connected with sustainable elements. Research limitations/implications It seems necessary to develop research tools that allow for identification of the level of use of the SD concept in retail chain’s business models in the future. Practical implications The paper is of interest to practitioners and students of retail management. Social implications The concept of the SD model included in the retailer business models serves to build value for the customer through the care of his quality of life. The vast majority of retailers believe that it is the responsibility of the business sector to respond to social and environmental challenges. Originality/value The paper intends to fill the gap in the literature concerning the influence of SD concept on changes in the business models of retail chains. The SD activities can lead to the development of specific capabilities based on intangible recourses that are sources of competitive advantage (SD). That is the main reason of undertaking this subject.

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