Introduction to Online Competitive Intelligence Research, Vol. 7

Introduction to Online Competitive Intelligence Research gives you the tools you need to stay ahead of your competitor's moves. Numerous research problem scenarios and cases with suggested search strategies are included. Step-by-step methodology takes you through the CI research process, including planning and direction, data collection, analysis and dissemination. One section provides insight into how your firm might protect itself from the unwanted CI efforts of competitors. Like all the titles in the Business Research Series, this book contains a number of business research applications that can be used for both in-house research training and reference. Internet research can be quick, easy, and effective, but also challenging. The Business Research Solutions Series provides business and financial research reference guides and online training manuals to bridge a major gap in the field of online research methodology. These invaluable tools provide step-by-step advice on how to analyze, interpret, and collect data for informed decision-making.

The Internet is a huge boon to researchers gathering competitive intelligence. And indeed, the practice of CI is evolving from identifying issues related strictly to what rivals are doing to all forms of information that will help a company flourish, whether it's about markets, marketers, consumers, government regulators, the media, industry analysts, or social issues. Here, 38 professional researchers, librarians, and business experts present case studies and research problems and provide information about search strategies and data sources. They even reverse-engineer the process, discussing how to protect a company from CI-gathering competitors. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Conor Vibert is an Associate Professor of Business Strategy at the Fred C. Manning School of Business at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Conor obtained his Ph.D. in Organizational Analysis from the University of Alberta in 1996. At Acadia University, Conor teaches Business Strategy and Organization Theory, while his current research interests focus on the application of management theory and online information sources to contemporary business challenges. He is also a recipient of the 2002 Outstanding Teacher Award for Acadia's Faculty of Professional Studies, as well as a recipient of the 2000 Acadia University President's Award for Innovation.