Competitive Intelligence and Strategy Formulation: an Evaluation from the Game Theoretical Perspective

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal the contributions of game theory to competitive intelligence process in the formulating of business strategies. For this purpose, firstly, conceptual links between game theory and competitive intelligence are revealed and then, basic strategy analysis and equilibrium concepts are introduced in static and dynamic games. Implications are made regarding different perspectives that can be considered by decision makers in strategy analysis as part of the competition intelligence process. Game theory allows decision makers to explore games that create higher value so that they can seize cooperation opportunities within the competitive structures and generate higher profits. For rival companies, it is indicated that the long-term gains of cooperation can be preferred over the short-term high earnings of competition. Additionally, it is theoretically indicated how implausible strategies is determined with credibility criteria regarding the competing strategies and how the first mover advantage arises. Game theory, with its analysis tools and modeling infrastructure, is a tool that can significantly contribute to the goals of competitive intelligence. This study contributes to the competitive intelligence literature by addressing the role of game theory in strategy formulation from the perspective of competitive intelligence.

Keywords

• Competitive Intelligence
• Strategy
• Game Theory
• Nash Equilibrium

Rekabet İstihbaratı ve Strateji Oluşturma: Oyun Teorisi Perspektifinden Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Bu çalışmada işletme stratejilerinin oluşturulmasında, oyun teorisinin rekabet istihbaratı sürecine sağlayabileceği katkıların ortaya çıkarılması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla, öncelikle oyun teorisi ve rekabet istihbaratı arasındaki kavramsal bağlantılar açığa çıkarılmış ve ardından statik ve dinamik oyunlarda temel strateji analizleri ve denge kavramları tanıtılmıştır. Rekabet istihbaratı sürecinin bir parçası olarak strateji analizlerinde, karar alıcılarca dikkate alınabilecek farklı bakış açılarına ilişkin çıkarımlar yapılmıştır. Oyun teorisi, karar alıcılara, rekabetçi yapılar içerisinde işbirliği fırsatlarını yakalayabilmeleri ve kazançlarını artırabilmeleri için daha fazla değer yaratan oyunları keşfetmeye imkân vermektedir. Rakip işletmeler açısından işbirliğinin uzun dönemli kazançlarının, rekabetin kısa dönemli yüksek kazançlarına tercih edilebileceği gösterilmiştir. Ayrıca, rakip stratejilerin kredibilitesine ilişkin ölçütlerle makul olmayan stratejilerin nasıl tespit edildiği ve ilk hareket edenin avantajının nasıl ortaya çıktığı teorik olarak gösterilmiştir. Oyun teorisi, analiz araçları ve modelleme altyapısıyla, rekabet istihbaratının hedeflerine önemli ölçüde katkı sağlayabilecek bir araçtır. Bu çalışma, rekabet istihbaratı perspektifinden oyun teorisinin strateji oluşturmadaki rolüne değinerek rekabet istihbaratı literatürüne katkı sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Rekabet İstihbaratı
• strateji
• Oyun Teorisi
• Nash Dengesi

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