Social Responsibility and Ethics of Competitive Intelligence Information in Organizations

Abstract

The problem of information ethics of competitive intelligence becomes especially relevant because of the active desire to increase the competitiveness of organizations and maintain the most positive image of companies. The Code of Ethics is considered to be a common element of conducting competitive intelligence, since it promotes capitalization and commitment among partners and consumers. By performing reputation, management functions and the function of developing corporate culture, the code builds trust in the organization, because the moral responsibility of employees means reliability and stability. The main objectives of the research are: 1) to clarify the role of competitive intelligence in the information support of competitive organizations; 2) to study the practical application of competitive intelligence ethics; 3) to make recommendations to assess the level of professionalism and ethics of the competitive intelligence professionals. To solve the problems of the research several approaches were used, including: information approach (collection and analysis of information), system approach (study of the structure, relationships, function, nature and characteristics of system elements), synergetic approach (analysis of ways, results of future interactions). The author discovered the importance and role of the ethics code in competitive intelligence; analyzed and identified the correct behavior of CI professionals at work; the research evaluation criteria of professionalism of CI professionals made it possible to determine the characteristics and skills that a professional should posses. It was emphasized that CI professionals should have the necessary ethical and professional skills, in particular, analytical, communication, ethical, network skills. On the basis of the SWOT-analysis, an assessment of the level of professionalism and the use of ethical norms in the work of CP-professionals has been conducted.