Strategic Intelligence: implications for information systems

In current economic contexts, one of the most important drivers of firm success is the ability of information systems to answer the call for new relevant data. This re-quest for data is increasingly related to the likelihood of supporting the strategic decision-making process. Consequently, data collection and data analysis processes are evolving from the traditional Enterprise Resource Planning systems to innova-tive Strategic Intelligence. Despite the growing attention on Intelligence, there is a lack of studies analysing the many critical perspectives and data that firms can consider to embrace Intelligence in strategic management. The literature, from one perspective, does not clearly define the boundaries of the broad concept of Strate-gic Intelligence, and, from another perspective, does not provide the needed sup-port to the information selection process for decision-making. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to develop an integrated framework that aims to support the com-mitment of managers to Strategic Intelligence by analysing the implications for in-formation systems. Using a structured literature review, we develop a conceptual comprehensive framework based on five main dimensions: competitive intelli-gence, market intelligence, resources intelligence, finance intelligence and innova-tion intelligence. The comprehensive framework provides insights and guidelines for collecting, analysing and explaining data for Strategic Intelligence. Specifical-ly, the paper suggests sources and methods to translate data into effective knowledge for strategic decision-making.