login

Blind spots in competitive analysis

Academy of Management PerspectivesPublished 1 May 1993
Shaker A. Zahra, Sherry S. Chaples
Citations120
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score5.06
SNIP2.61

Abstract

Executive Overview Competitive analysis is the cornerstone of effective strategy formulation and implementation. This analysis helps executives understand and predict strategic moves by competitors. It also allows executives to develop, select, and test appropriate strategies. However, competitive analysis is complicated and time-consuming, and it requires significant organizational resources, creativity, imagination, and insight. This complexity often breeds flawed analysis. Undetected, such analysis leads to ineffective, if not disastrous, strategies. This article highlights six potential blind spots or flaws in competitive analysis and offers guidelines for executives to safeguard against them.

Keywords

Business, Management and Accounting