Competitive Intelligence Features and Competitive Advantage of Construction Firms in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

This chapter examines the relationship between competitive intelligence (CI) features and construction firms obtaining a competitive advantage (CA) in the construction industry in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), a case study of Ghana. Research data were solicited from building and road contractors in the construction industry in Ghana (CIG) using a structured questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) reduced CA’s CI features into four components: market intelligence, technological intelligence, competitors’ intelligence, and entrepreneurs’ behavioural intelligence. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed in exploring the relationship between the four CI features and CA. Significant positive relationships existed between market intelligence, technological intelligence, competitors’ intelligence, entrepreneurs’ behavioural intelligence and CA. Thus, a framework for explaining the relationship pattern between the CI features and CA in the 4IR emerges, which hitherto was not in existence. The framework is also helpful in assessing the CI of construction firms. The chapter informs curriculum design and review, policymaking, industry regulation, and capacity building of firms as it identifies the principal CI features that need attention in the 4IR.