Competitive intelligence skills and capabilities required from CI practitioners in South Africa

Competitive Intelligence (CI) is a new role within the South African working environment. As such, there is currently no set framework of skills and capabilities for defining the roles of CI practitioners. Without a set framework of skills and capabilities it may be difficult to define the roles of CI practitioners. This project, therefore, looks to identify the skills and capabilities that would form part of such a framework. The aim of this research was to respond to the research question: “What skills and capabilities do CI practitioners need to encompass?” The primary objective of this research project was determining the CI skills and capabilities required by organisations. The secondary goal of this research was determining the skills and capabilities CI practitioners need based on job advertisements. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals holding knowledge in CI. Focused questions were prepared in order for the interviewers and interviewees to have an elaborative and explanatory discussion between themselves. Secondary data was also collected with the objective of determining the CI skills and capabilities required based on job advertisements. Purposive sampling was the chosen sampling technique for this research as the sample size was small and respondents were selected based on their expertise in the field being researched. Four individuals holding knowledge in CI were interviewed. The collected data emanating from these interviews was analysed with the help of Atlas.ti and narratively presented. Based on the findings, probing, relationship building, critical thinking, marketing and leadership skills were found to be the most essential skills required from CI practitioners. Additionally, strategic thinking, communication and analysing data were found to be the significant CI capabilities required from CI professionals based on job advertisements. An important finding to take note of was that there is no set CI skills framework in the organisations looked into, as such, CI professionals utilise a general skills' framework meant for all divisions of their respective organisations.