The Competitive Intelligence Handbook [Hardcover]

Richard E. Combs (Author), John D. Moorhead (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0810826062 | ISBN-13: 978-0810826069

The Competitive Intelligence Handbook presents a unified approach to competitive intelligence work and also discusses other perspectives on the discipline. Competitive intelligence (CI) is a subset of business research; it is concerned with information that corporate managers need for making tactical and strategic decisions. In addition to a review of the CI literature, the book discusses CI methodologies such as database searching, interviewing, and analysis. It provides guidance on sources for U.S. and international business information, and on special concerns such as preparing industry studies and conducting due-diligence research. In a single volume, the Handbook provides an overview of current competitive intelligence practices and gives extensive guidance on where to learn more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

ibliographic citations are clear and complete...A chapter on interviewing will be useful...Large public and academic libraries or business libraries will want to add he Competitive Intelligence Handbook to their circulating collections. (Reference Books Bulletin )

...a nice mix of theoretical and practical information. (The Information Advisor )

For a wide range of users... (Reference & Research Book News )

...an excellent introduction and overview...the best bibliography on CI currently available...a good job of highlighting specific databases and vendors...a strong chapter on interviewing...will make a fine [textbook]...Information brokers, librarians, and business researchers all will find this book enjoyable and easy to read...strongly recommended. (Glenn Hoetker, Business Information Alert )

...Both of these professionals have considerable skill in explaining complex subjects clearly... (Stephen E. Arnold, Database )

...an excellent introduction and overview...the best bibliography on CI currently available...a good job of highlighting specific databases and vendors...a strong chapter on interviewing...will make a fine [textbook]...Information brokers, librarians, andbusiness researchers all will find this book enjoyable and easy to read...strongly recommended. (Glenn Hoetker, Business Information Alert )

...an excellent introduction and overview...the best annotated bibliography on CI currently available...While not written as a textbook, this book will make a fine one...strongly recommended. (Glenn Hoetker, Business Information Alert )

...useful introductions to competitive intelligence . (Electric Perspectives )

About the Author

Both authors have long experience in working with information. Richard E. Combs has headed several major public libraries, including Newport, RI; Northbrook, IL; Gary, IN; and the Chicago Public Library's Cultural Center. He is the author of an award-winning reference/research book.

John D. Moorhead has been a business reporter for The Christian Science Monitor and was an air intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy earlier in his career. Together they operate CombsMoorhead Associates, Inc., a business research company in Chicago.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 197 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810826062
• ISBN-13: 978-0810826069
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #929,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More of a directory than theory/guidance piece, July 8, 2008

By 

Jeffrey N. Takle (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Competitive Intelligence Handbook (Hardcover)

Aside from a few typos, it's a fine book that gives a broad overview of what competitor intelligence is, why it is important, and who should use it.

Most of the book is a directory of sources of information...the mantra in the book is "Information is where you find it" and Combs gives about 200 database or resource names where you can search. Fundamentally, I think this misses the point of developing an intelligence system...Combs' system seems to advocate: search everywhere and you might run across a useful nugget.

The better emphasis, in my humble opinion, is to be more deliberate about honing the intelligence question and creating a formal collection plan so that you're driving towards the answer for an IMPORTANT (versus "available") question. This book will not help you do that.

Since this book was written in 1993, the resources are a bit dated, but it's a very quick read (~1 hour). I wouldn't buy the hard copy at this price, but find a used one or get it at the library.