The role of structural capital on competitive intelligence

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of structural‐organizational capital (or intelligence) in gathering, producing and transmitting competitive intelligence (CI) to enhance organization competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐oriented survey covering 200 Iranian companies as samples was conducted to collect data for the study.

Findings

The findings indicate that the information systems (as the structural capital) and the content factors (as the organizational capital) of the structural‐organizational intelligence (SOI) are significantly related in attaining CI. The study also provides empirical evidence that attaining CI is positively related to organization competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

First, the companies chosen for the study were mainly large companies. Thus, the results may not be applicable to smaller companies; second, this survey was limited to one country (Iran); third, 40 percent of the respondents were from state companies, which because of using state budget and being active at the monopolistic markets inside the country might be a negative effect on the amount of using SOI.

Practical implications

Future studies might be extended to analyzing the relationship among other factors of intellectual capital and CI and should seek to utilize multiple respondents from multinational companies to enhance the research findings.

Originality/value

The paper provides some of the very first insights into development of structural capital concept and its effects on organization. Previous studies were independent of structural‐organizational capital (intelligence). This study aims to fill that gap by studying downstream impact of SOI application on both the admission of CI information and organization competitive advantage.

Citation

Zangoueinezhad, A. and Moshabaki, A. (2009), "The role of structural capital on competitive intelligence", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 109 No. 2, pp. 262-280. https://doi.org/10.1108/02635570910930136