Competitive Intelligence

Introduction and objectives

The course is centred on advanced industry and market analysis. Competitive intelligence is the continuous monitoring of competitive forces and rival’s business models in a certain industry. Information collected through competitive intelligence activities are used by top management to take strategic decisions. Students will learn how to find and process data on relevant industry variables, as: entry barriers, demand evolution, M&A trends, rivals, technological trends, regulations. Students will receive a specific training to use professional market and finance databases.

Methodology

The course is based on case discussion and group-works on empirical issues. Given the importance of class discussion, pre-class reading of the business cases is crucial. Students will work on a real competitive analysis for the final work.  Laptop and tablet usage is encouraged during academic sessions to take notes and is necessary to do in-class assignments.

Grading

The valuation (0-10) is based on:

· a final group project (0-5 grades). The group project is assigned at the beginning of the course, developed through the course and presented in the last class;

· a final individual project (0-5 grades). The individual project is assigned at the end of the course. The deadline for delivery will be 15 days after the last class.

Students have the possibility to take up to 1 bonus points (to be added the final written exam grade) thanks to in class assignments. Each in class assignment will be evaluated according to the following scale: 0-0.4. Only students that will be present at the specific group work will be eligible for the bonus point.

Students can use their bonus points only if they obtain no less than 6/10 combining the grade of the final group and the individual project. Groups should be composed by 5 to 8 students (no exceptions are admitted).

Support material
Readings and cases that will be available on line on the iCorsi