Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Competitive intelligence and strategy implementation: Critical examination of present literature review
Submitted: 06 September 2022 | Published: 07 September 2023
About the author(s)
Mpho L. Maluleka, Graduate School of Business and Leadership, College of Law and Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaBibi Z. Chummun, Graduate School of Business and Leadership, College of Law and Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Competitive intelligence (CI) involves recognising that intelligence is the basis of firms engaging in strategic activities in a competitive marketplace. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of CI in strategic planning processes, but the impact of CI on strategy execution has received less academic attention.
Objectives: This study aims to critically examine the current state of the CI and the strategy implementation literature. It also identifies gaps and limitations in the existing literature.
Method: This study employed systematic literature with the selection criterion to identify 33 publications published between 2008 and 2022. Thematic content analysis provided a range of analytic options. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar databases were used to locate peer-reviewed journal articles. The publications were grouped by journal names, year of publication, and article count.
Results: The study found that CI played a vital role in developing company strategies and practices. Our study also showed that a plethora of peer-reviewed academic articles on CI were published in developed countries such as North America and Europe. Only a few CI-related studies have been published in developing countries.
Conclusion: Most authors have not examined how CI leads to strategy implementation, even though CI research has gained traction internationally over the years. Competitive intelligence was not found to have a relationship with implementing, evaluating, and monitoring strategies pointing out gaps in the literature and suggesting future research.
Contribution: This study examines the current state of the literature on CI and strategy implementation, and identifies gaps in the existing literature. Furthermore, the study contributes to academic knowledge by emphasising the significance of a well-defined and structured CI process in achieving strategy implementation outcomes.
Keywords
JEL Codes
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
Total abstract views: 5437Total article views: 8374
Crossref Citations
1. From Hybrid Incentive Systems to Competitive Intelligence: How Key Technologies Enable Innovation Management in Multi-Age Teams
Satyvaldieva Baktygul Abduraimovna, Yu Chen, Zhe Zhang, Wenchun Xia
Journal of Sustainable Competitive Intelligence vol: 16 first page: e0613 year: 2026
doi: 10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.613
2. Strategic Workforce Intelligence for Automotive Education: A Competitive Intelligence Framework Based on Labour-Market Analytics
Ruonan Wang, Nur Ehsan Bin Mohd Said
Journal of Sustainable Competitive Intelligence vol: 16 first page: e0673 year: 2026
doi: 10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.673
3. Design Thinking for Competitive Intelligence in a Digital Business Transformation Context
Stoyan Tanev
Journal of Intelligence Studies in Business vol: 14 issue: Special Issue 1 first page: 57 year: 2024
doi: 10.37380/jisib.v14.si1.2416
4. Influência do Business Analytics e Inteligência Competitiva na análise preditiva de mercado: Proposta de um método integrativo aplicado ao setor siderúrgico
Leonardo Ferreira de Melo, Rodrigo Baroni de Carvalho
Revista de Gestão e Projetos vol: 17 issue: 1 first page: e29835 year: 2026
doi: 10.5585/2026.29835
5. Competitive Intelligence-Driven ESG Analytics: A Strategic Framework For ESG Disclosure Intelligence and Sustainable Decision Support
Tian Yang, Teh Boon Heng, Kwan Jing Hui, Zhang Tao
Journal of Sustainable Competitive Intelligence vol: 16 first page: e0677 year: 2026
doi: 10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.677
6. The effects of absorptive capacity on competitive intelligence in a turbulent market
Abdeslam Hassani, Boutayna Arouss
Knowledge Management Research & Practice vol: 24 issue: 1 first page: 27 year: 2026
doi: 10.1080/14778238.2024.2441154
7. Technological Observatories and Strategic Intelligence: Driving Innovation in a Disruptive Era
Alba Santa Soriano, Sofia Oliveira Pires
Journal of Intelligence Studies in Business vol: 15 issue: Special Issue 1 first page: 89 year: 2025
doi: 10.37380/jisib.v15.si1.06
8. Relationship among competitive intelligence, innovation, and performance for global employees: validation of an empirical model
Cristiana F. De Muylder , Thais Martins Vicente , Marcelo Dias de Almeida , Jefferson Lopes La Falce , André Francisco Alcântara Fagundes
ReMark - Revista Brasileira de Marketing vol: 24 issue: 4 first page: e27427 year: 2025
doi: 10.5585/2025.27427
9. Exploring Factors that Affect the Performance of Financial Intermediaries in the Insurance Sector
Cedrick Mathisa, Bibi Z. Chummun
E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences first page: 2344 year: 2024
doi: 10.38159/ehass.202451326
10. أثر التنفيذ الاستراتيجي في الأداء المؤسسي في جامعة القدس المفتوحة
فاتنة "محمد فتحي" ماضي, شبلي إسماعيل السويطي
Arado Business Journal first page: 125 year: 2025
doi: 10.64190/abj.1.1.2026.4
11. Competitive Intelligence as a Strategic Resource in the Digital Transformation of The Ceramic Industry
Mei Zhang, Jianxiong Xu, Jing Han
Journal of Sustainable Competitive Intelligence vol: 16 first page: e0625 year: 2026
doi: 10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.625
12. The function of competitive intelligence in South African insurance post-COVID-19 outbreak
Mpho L. Maluleka, Bibi Z. Chummun
SA Journal of Information Management vol: 26 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.4102/sajim.v26i1.1738
13. Competitive intelligence evolution during and after Covid-19: A bibliometric mapping and industry change analysis
Murembiwa Justice Mashau, Tshilidzi Eric Nenzhelele, Ntsieni Fitzgerald Ramasimu
International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293) vol: 7 issue: 4 first page: 330 year: 2025
doi: 10.36096/ijbes.v7i4.907
14. Competitive Intelligence as a Governance Capability: Linking Employee Ownership and ESG Performance in Chinese Firms
Zhenyang Zhang, Jinghui He
Journal of Sustainable Competitive Intelligence vol: 16 first page: e0619 year: 2026
doi: 10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.619
15. Marketing proactiveness strategies and service quality synergy: a pathway to marketing excellence in private banks in Iraq
Shirin Rashid, Kawar Mohammed Mousa, Dildar Haydar Ahmed, Khairi Ali Auso Ali
Frontiers in Communication vol: 10 year: 2026
doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2025.1719507
16. The Role of Competitive Intelligence in Shaping AfCFTA Policy Integration and Industrialisation: A Systematic Literature Review
Alexander Maune
Journal of Intelligence Studies in Business vol: 15 issue: 1 first page: 49 year: 2026
doi: 10.37380/jisib.v15i1.3076
17. Sustainable Competitive Intelligence Capability for Strategic Transformation in Provincial Vocational Colleges: Evidence from YVCS Under China’s Double High Plan
Ruize XU, Premsuree Chaumthong
Journal of Sustainable Competitive Intelligence vol: 16 first page: e0682 year: 2026
doi: 10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.682
18. A RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITIVE STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF TRAVEL AGENCIES OPERATING IN KAYSERI PROVINCE
Murat Sucu
Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari İncelemeler Dergisi issue: 48 first page: 183 year: 2025
doi: 10.18092/ulikidince.1635794