RELEVANCE OF THE COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE PROCESS ON THE SPANISH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES

It is common to find Competitive Intelligence activities within the high-tech enterprises in particular in the pharmaceutical industry. These companies not only use the process of Competitive Intelligence to act against competitors, traditional aim of the Competitive Intelligence. It is increasingly used to enhance cooperation. The Cycle of Competitive Intelligence (Cl) is used both as to extract offensive and defensive intelligence as cooperative intelligence. The paper presents the results of a sample study of 186 Spanish pharmaceutical companies that were asked about the purpose of cooperation in their Competitive Intelligence activities. The results confirm that these are used in the development of business relationships, search for partners, joint research, etc. and that companies bet on these relationships for the future within the Competitive Intelligence.


INTRODUCTION
Competitive intelligence (Cl) is one of the most useful tools for strategic analysis because it provides, analyses and distributes information, the knowledge and intelligence throughout the organization.
In the last years there has been a rising in the so-called Competitive Intelligence in the field of Information and corporative knowledge that has not been accompanied by the same interest in the theoretical basis (Palop et Vicente, 1999;Escorsa et Maspons, 2001;Hidalgo et al., 2002;Postigo, 2001, Tena etComai, 2001).Several newtrends have emerged in literature that have brought closer, with a better or worse choice, the Competitive Intelligence theoretical frame.But there is still so much to study about how the Cl process is and why it works, what types of intelligence we can detect inside the organization, who is the responsible person in charge to perform this work, which ones are the conceptual terms that are used in the different academic papers, the results from the creation and administration of the knowledge and the information that is used, as well as the corporation's intelectual capital, etc.
The importance given to Cl has been based on offensive and defensive activities implemented in the company.However, some authors have opened another research line that creates tools to make decisions in other directions.Thus, sometimes the company launches its Cl to research the environment and competition in particular with the aim to enhance internal improvements or collaborations with companies (e.g. for open innovation lines).
The Medical College Organisation report (OMC) on the pharmaceutical sector (OMC, 2014) that some actions are recommended to increase the competitiveness of the sector.The OMC says that it would be reasonable to expect a process of concentraron and restructuring that promotes partnerships, joint ventures or mergers to créate solvent and innovative pharmaceutical companies.It is noteworthy that the research model of the pharmaceutical industry continúes to evolve over the last decade, from the classic pattern of R&D to prototype called R&C (cooperation and/ or collaboration).
In this sense, the goal of the study is to analyse the behaviour of pharmaceutical companies integrated in the Farmaindustria association with the possibility to improve the cooperation amongst them by using Cl cycle activities.Five phases are suggested in the process of Cl generation to study in each of them the importance of cooperation.The aim is to determine whether cooperation is a purpose in using the Cl in a company and, if so, we can expect Cl processes to evolve and enhance the relationship networks between companies in the sector.
In this respect, this paper contribution is in the direction marked by The Green Book on Innovation of the European Commission, where we are urged to accentuate the efforts made to investígate the national practices in the European Union of different methods and specific processes of collection, management, treatment and classification of information that is used in the Competitive Intelligence.

THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) describes competitive intelligence as "the process of gathering ethically, analysis and disseminate reliable, relevant, specific intelligence, timely, foresighted and actionable, regarding the implications of the business environment the competitors and the organization itself " (SCIP, 1999).
However, there are many Cl definitions provided by different authors remarking the strategic aspect and the variety of targets with their activities (Cohén, 1997;McGonagle, 1998;Bernhardt, 1994;Hockman, 1999).In this way, as Cohén (1997) et McGogagle (1998) say, the Competitive Intelligence is a combination of methods, ethic and legal processes, abilities and behaviours of the competence to obtain a competitive and sustainable advantage to this company.Bernhardt (1994) defines Competitive Intelligences as "an analytic process that transforms disintegrated data from competitors, industry and market, putting them together to get knowledge that is usefull to the strategic planning, related with abilities, intentions, performance and position of these competitors".
The information provided to the organization by the Cl, properly treated, generates intelligence on which to base strategic planning and decisión making and with an impact on organizational performance (Prescot, 1999;Herring, 1999;Ortoll et al., 2010;Antia et Hesford, 2007;Tena et Comai, 2003).Knowledge is the basis in which these intangible resources exist in the Corporation and it owns some qualities that complícate its imitation and transference (Grant, 1996).This issue will give a competitive advantage in the market to the company that will be able to manage in an efficient way this knowledge.In order to do so, it is necessary to consider its management as a dynamic process where identification, storage, formation and recycling of the above mentioned knowledge in the organization take part.
From this basis, it is easy to understand the importance of Competitive Intelligence.It is shown as a part of this strategy, as a systematized activity that gathers information about the environment and introduces it in the organization to genérate knowledge, and in order to be a part in the decisión making process.At the same time that Cl generates knowledge, it uses the existing knowledge in the organization and modifies it, complementing and improving it.The modification of that organizational knowledge basis will be available in the core of the company for future needs.
There is no current data in literature on the number of companies carrying out competitive intelligence as a systemic process.Studies in Spain (Postigo, 2001;Infoact, 2001;Cetisme, 2003;Tena et Comai, 2003) cannot detail the spread of practice in companies due to the heterogeneity of the analysed organizations.

Cl Cicle
Despite the virtual unanimity on the scientific method being the precedent of the intelligence cycle (Vignettes, 2010), we can say that there has never been agreement on the number, ñame and specific content of the phases comprising it.However, when analysing the mentioned characteristics and phases, we find in literature some common trends in different authors and communities as well as important differences between them.
It is noteworthy that the positions are not contradictory but complementary (Bernhardt, 1994;Ortoll et al., 2010;Prescott, 1999;Choo, 2002;Lesea, 2006;Arroyo, 2005;Martinet et Marti, 1995;Escorsa et Maspons, 2001;Ashton et Stacey, 1995).Competitive intelligence is a dynamic strategic tool for the survival and growth of the present companies.From the theoretical studies, different phases have been proposed.The need of some logical phases lays in the interest of formalizing and systematizing the Cl process (Bernhardt, 1999).
On this basis, the proposed Cl is formed by five phases (Figure 1): Planning of resources and activities; Collection and validation of ¡nformation; Analysis and dissemination of intelligence; Using the results; and Evaluation of process performance.
We will briefly revise these phases:

Planning of resources and activities
Companies need to plan the Cl activities bearing in mind the final aim.Sometimes planning needs legal ¡nformation, tax rate, etc. Others, it needs ¡nformation from competitors to know what they are and their activities in the sector.
In other occasions the priority is in the ¡nformation on market changes, produets and processes, etc.

Collection and validation of ¡nformation
At this stage of Cl companies evalúate where and under what conditions gather the necessary ¡nformation to fulfill their need.
Therefore, it is mandatory to know the sources of such ¡nformation (internal, external, prívate, public, structured, unstructured, etc.)It is also important to know the existence of controls, validation and verification of sources and ¡nformation.

Analysis and dissemination of intelligence
At this stage of the process the tools used for data analysis, analysis and control ofboth the ¡nformation storage and the needed and generated, are of great importance.
The different ways to broadeast or disseminate the intelligence generated in the organization can be carried out by taking into account individuáis or specific group departments (marketing, R&D&I, sales network, general management, etc.), users subsidiarles or from within the organization.
It is also important to know the kind of dissemination that is carried out from the media's point of view (meetings, intranet or other).

Using the results
At this stage itis important toremark the activities focused to sort out problems and analyse whether the company is aware that the Cl has managed to solve risky situations in departments, subsidiarles, projeets, etc., and if it is expected that the results of the Cl serve to sort out different issues.

Evaluation of process performance
Companies should evalúate the results of the Cl cycle to enable process improvement and the necessary adjustments on the planned targets.
It is necessary to evalúate activities flexibility, Cl user's satisfaction, improvements in the strategic áreas of the organization, etc.

Purpose of Cooperation and Cl
Information has a first magnitude strategic dimensión, either as active means of defense-knowing to prevent-or reactive -knowing to attack (Kahn, 2001).However, authors like Ortoll et al. (2010) confirm that the impact of social networks on both information sources and the efficiency of the whole process of competitive intelligence is significant.Thus, several authors have explored the importance of social networks in the process of competitive intelligence (Palop et Vicente, 1999;Escorsa et Maspons 2001;Trim, 2004;Michaeli, 2006), especially the importance of networks as sources of information for their members.Some researchers also relate the involvement of network structure on the efficiency of the process of Cl (Jaworskieto/,,2002).
This job has planned a model that, just as others (Tena et Comai, 2001;Hussey et Jenster, 1999) takes into account the purpose of the Cl in the company.Two objectives are proposed in the activities of the Cl cycle.The company may determine that part or the whole of the Cl activity pursue the so called competitor intelligence (for defensive and offensive actions) and can determine how much of the Cl is intended for a cooperative intelligence.
There is wide reference of competitor intelligence in literature due to the Cl's own nature, but it is harder to find evidence of the second, competitive intelligence for cooperation, partner search, agreements, etc.However, activities taking place in the Cl cycle can be used in a broad spectrum of fundamental issues for the development of a partnership (finance, marketing, R&D&I, etc.).

METHOD
This job applies a descriptive and explanatory method based on a questionnaire addressed to analyse the Cl phases, the targets pursued by the company and the impact on some business results.
In this paper, we expect to adhere ourselves to one sector that is a pioneer in putting in practice Cl and that is developing the activities in the Competitive Intelligence Cycle, the Pharmaceutical Industry.In order to do so, a sample of the sector the National Business Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (Farmaindustria ) established in Spain was taken to carry out this study.The group has the vast majority of pharmaceutical laboratories (186 members representing 84% of the prescription market and 42% of the holders of marketing authorizations for medicines).
In the report made by Spanish Medical College Organization (OMC) in 2014 about the pharmaceutical sector, data that shows the frame for intervention of this industry is found.In this sense, in the last 40 years has been the sector with the fastest growth in Europe and in the United States, portraying today a business volume bigger than 3.5 billion dollars (EFPIA, 2011).
The final questionnaire was obtained after several meetings with industry experts (managers, laboratory owners) área doctors of the company organisation and the sub-department of Farmaindustria.After validating the questionnaire it was sent to all partners in Farmaindustria guaranteeing the confidentiality of responses.
It is important to remark the existing difficulty to draw information from these companies.You have to go through many different filters in order that pharmaceutical companies consider it innocuous to answer questions on the information they use.In most cases legal departments should approve the questionnaires and this may take weeks.
The five Cl phases compiling the theory bases of the different authors were laid out.At each stage of the Cl cycle, laboratories were asked for different aspects of the interest in cooperation.With the answers to the questionnaire a descriptive analysis of the use of Cl for cooperation activities and expectations of pharmaceutical companies was carried out.

RESULTS
The results are divided according to the five phases of the Cl cycle (Table 1).In the planning phase 65 % of companies stated that they commonly use Cl consulting when cooperation activities are intended.Given the competitive nature of the Cl it seems that, as stated by Tena et Comai (2001), the cooperative intelligence has significant purposes for the process.
During the second stage, information collection phase, over 50% of companies answer that they commonly use sources of information from their partners in research projects.That shows the level of relationship that comes to have companies so protective towards the security of their information when it happens to investígate with other companies.There are also a high percentage of companies using information from other subsidiarles of the group at times or on many occasions.Bearing in mind they were asked in the context of Cl, it is noteworthy that the percentages of consultation between partners and between subsidiarles of the same group are not far.
In the third phase of the Cl cycle, companies declared that 40% send relevant information to the project partners, while only 6.4 % do so to their own subsidiarles.It is remarkable the importance given to the management of information between partners when having a common project.It should be noted that they were not asked for a specific project, but for their usual performance in the context of Cl.
The fourth phase, referring to the use of the results, it is noted that 66% of cases f requently use the reports generated in Cl in other companies of the same group, but not a regular system as only 10% do so.In both situatíons described usage decreases when asked for external companies in the same group.Using Cl reports between project partners is also important (40% of respondents), whilst almost 39% never or almost never used them.
The last phase, performance evaluation, reveáis that pharmaceutical companies consider that Cl encourages collaboration with other organizations (over 60% agree or strongly agree with this).Regarding the detection of new financial partners approximately 30% said that the Cl was not relevant or had minor importance, but 50% said it was quite or very important.
Finally, as to the intention to increase Cl resources, willingness was shown to increase resources in the pharmaceutical sector, regardless the current economic situation.

Planningof resources and activities
-65 %of companies stated that they commonly use Cl Consulting when cooperation activities are intended.
-Given the competitive nature of the Cl it seems that, as stated by Tena et Comai (2001), the cooperative intelligence has significant purposes for the process.

Collection and validation of information
-Over 50 % of companies answer that they commonly use sources of information from their partners in research projects which shows the level of relationship that come to have companies so protective towards the security of their information when it comes to investígate with other companies.-There are also a high percentage of companies using information from other subsidiarles of the group at times or on many occasions.
-Bearingin mind they wereasked in thecontext of Cl, it is noteworthy that the percentages of consultation between partners and between subsidiarles of the same group are not far.

Analysis
and dissemination of intelligence -The companies declared that 40% send relevant information to the project partners, while only 6.4 % do so to their own subsidiarles.
-It is remarkable the importance given to the management of information between partners when having a common project.It should be noted that they were not asked for a specific project, but for their usual performance in the context of Cl.

Usingthe results
-It is noted that 66 % of cases frequently use the reports generated in Cl in other companies of the same group, but not a regular system as only 10% do so.
-In both situatíons described usage decreases when asked for external companies in the same group.Using Cl reports between project partners is also important (40 % of respondents), whilst almost 39% never or almost never used them.

Evaluation ofprocess performance
-The pharmaceutical companies consider that Cl encourages collaboration with other organisatíons (over 60 % agree or strongly agree with this).
-Regarding the detection of new financial partners approximately 30% said that the Cl was not relevant or had minor importance, but 50% said it was quite or very important.
Souce: The author own

CONCLUSIONS
During the study, it is confirmed the use of Cl for cooperation in each stage of the Cl cycle, that is, the use of Cl not only it looks for to defend or to attack.
Farmaindustria's pharmaceutical companies show that they commonly use other companies' sources of information, they share the knowledge gained in the Cl process with project partners and consider that the Cl encourages collaboration with other entities.It should be noted that they were not asked for a specific project but by the usual action for cooperation in the framework of Cl.
The main conclusión is that most pharmaceutical companies are committed to sharing knowledge generated during the Cl process with other companies, subsidiarles or partners despite such tight controls imposed in the sector when it comes to extracting information in their organizations.
In general, there was a willingness to increase the resources invested in Cl in the pharmaceutical sector.It seems that if we bet for cooperation, companies will find in the intelligence process a valuable ally to advance towards their research objectives and growth.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Competitive Intelligence Cycle of five phases Souce: The author own