An exploratory study on competitive intelligence: Managers' information needs in higher education sector

Competitive intelligence is the collection and analysis of information to support strategic decision making for an organisation, as a means achieve competitive advantages. Identification needs prerequisite subsequent actions activities in process, and, if not done well, optimal will be provided. Intending identify university managers higher education sector, this study addressed different dimensions needs, sources, channels used by them. Due nature subject research objectives, approach was qualitative based on Grounded Theory, inductive, theory discovery methodology. Twenty-three Iran were purposively sampled interviews. It found that their mostly about competitors, customers providers. Their decisions collaborators field, effective marketing product services, well economic, socio-cultural legal aspects. They need pay attention political economic dealing with unexpected topics. Managers obtained they needed from four types sources - human, organisations, open source documents captured media, mixed channels. Electronic considered more abundant them than printed sources. The paper suggests findings can contribute design, implementation, development systems decision-makers are among its major users.