Comparison of Competitive Intelligence Models for Use in Knowledge-based Companies of Islamic Azad University

Knowledge economics has increased attention to economic dimensions of higher education and introduce business concepts into the field of higher education management. The purpose of present study is to compare competitive intelligence models for the benefit of knowledge-based companies of Islamic Azad University in Iran. The research method is comparative qualitative using content analysis approach to determine similarities and differences among different models. The statistical population includes all competitive intelligence models that have been selected through theoretical sampling method. Using this method, the researchers selected models that can answer the research goals and questions. The method of data collection is document analysis and has been done by examining internet resources, information databases, books, articles, and academic projects. Findings show that despite two decades of research on the relationship between competitive intelligence and other organizational variables, model design and determination of its components is still in its infancy stage. Another research finding indicates an upward trend in the number of components of competitive intelligence in recent models.