SME Characteristics and Competitive Intelligence Practices: An Empirical Study in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Competitive intelligence is recognized as an information management practice designed to protect a company’s informational and intangible assets. This importance explains the growing interest among companies particulary Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in this activity. However, certain organizational and managerial characteristics specific to this category of enterprises act as barriers to the adoption of competitive intelligence practices. This article aims to explain competitive intelligence practices based on the characteristics of SMEs. To achieve this objective, a quantitative survey was conducted using a questionnaire that was developed and then administered face-to-face to 122 SME managers in Côte d’Ivoire, selected using a convenience sampling method. 

Typological analysis and analysis of variance were used to process the collected data. The results show that SMEs engaging in competitive intelligence are characterized—organizationally and managerially—by an information system centered on the use of specialized information management software and the intensive use of the executive's personal network, a shared approach to information management, the sharing of the executive's strategic vision, and the availability of financial resources dedicated to information management activities.

JEL Classification: 83, D23, M15, L25

Paper type: Empirical Research