Exploring competitive intelligence in Romania: understanding corporate views and approaches

Authors

  • Raluca LUȚAI Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj Napoca
  • Adina MIHĂESCU Babeș-Bolyai University, Department of International Studies and Contemporary History – Faculty of History and Philosophy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-24-61

Keywords:

competitive intelligence, Romania, companies, perception.

Abstract

The awareness and application of Competitive Intelligence (CI) in Romania are significantly less developed than in international markets. This disparity is evident in the limited understanding of CI methodologies and the insufficient allocation of resources dedicated to fostering a CI-oriented culture within Romanian enterprises. Furthermore, the perspectives of market participants on the importance and use of CI have not been thoroughly examined, highlighting a considerable gap in systematic research on this topic. This study aims to address this gap in the existing literature by exploring the perceptions of Romanian firms regarding CI-related activities. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research seeks to assess how organizations recognize the benefits of CI, the extent to which these practices are integrated into their decisionmaking frameworks, and the obstacles that hinder their implementation. By doing so, this study enhances the understanding of CI within the Romanian context and establishes a foundational framework for promoting and advancing CI practices in the local economic landscape.

Author Biographies

Raluca LUȚAI, Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj Napoca

Raluca Luțai is a Lecturer at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca (since February 2019), teaching and conducting research in the Department of International Studies and Contemporary History, focusing on international relations and security studies.

Raluca Lutai's academic background and teaching experience emphasize expertise in the filed of security studies and international relations. She is currently teaching Introduction to Intelligence Studies, Introduction to Open-Source Intelligence, Introduction to Political Science and Terrorism and Globalisation.The research activity is concentrated in the area of ​​intelligence studies but also in the area of ​​political studies.

As for the educational background, Raluca Luțai has a PhD in International Relations and European Studies at Babeș-Bolyai University (2019) with a thesis on open-source intelligence and terrorist magazines. Raluca hold an MA in Security Management at Babeș-Bolyai University and another in Terrorism and National Intelligence at National Intelligence Academy (both completed in 2014). Undergraduate studies are in the field of security studies. (finished in 2012)

Her expertise integrates theoretical knowledge with practical insights from her parallel career in administrative and security-related roles, making her contributions multidisciplinary and applied.

Adina MIHĂESCU, Babeș-Bolyai University, Department of International Studies and Contemporary History – Faculty of History and Philosophy

Adina Mihaescu is an Associate Teacher at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, since 2016, teaching courses such as international economics, societal security, and risk analysis.

With a Bachelors Degree in finance at Babeș-Bolyai University, a Masters degree in Marketing and Business Negotiation from "Dimitrie Cantemir" Faculty of Economic Sciences (2010), Adina Mihaescu has obtained a PhD Title in International Relations and European Studies at Babeș-Bolyai University in 2024. Her thesis was focused on competitive intelligence and business in

Articles published in national magazines focus on topics such as economic security, intelligence and the business environment or societal security.

References

Cook, Michelle, and Cook Curtis. 2000. Competitive Intelligence. Create an intelligence organization and compete to win. Kogan Page.

European Commission. 2023. Glosar de Politică Regională. https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/whats-new/newsroom/27-03-2023-how-competitive-is-your-regioncommission-publishes-the-regional-competitiveness-index_ro.

Growth Lab. n.d. The atlas of economic complexity. Accessed November 15, 2024. https://atlas.hks.harvard.edu/.

Jason, Seawright. 2008. “Case selection techniques in case study research: a menu for qualitative and quantitative options.” Political Science Research Quarterly 294-305.

Kalika, Michel, Philippe Mouricou, and Lionel Garreaun. 2009. La methodolie, le mémoire de master. The free press.

Larry, Kahaner. 1996. Competitive Intelligence. How to gather, analyze and use information to move your business to the top. Simon&Schuster Inc.

Porter, Michael. 1980. Competitive Strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. The Free Press.

Valentin, Vlad Ioan. 2017. Strategia de dezvoltare a României în următorii 20 de ani. Editura Academiei Române

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Published

2025-01-21

How to Cite

LUȚAI, R. ., & MIHĂESCU, A. (2025). Exploring competitive intelligence in Romania: understanding corporate views and approaches. BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 13(4), 234–248. https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-24-61

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Articles

License

The published articles are subject to copyright law. All rights are reserved to the “Carol I” National Defense University, regardless of whether all or part of the material are considered, especially the rights to translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, quotations, broadcasting through the media, reproduction on microfilms or any other way and storage in data banks. Any replicas without the associated fees are authorized provided the source is acknowledged.