Intelligence économique et éthique

Peut-on fouiller les poubelles de ses concurrents?
Peut-on embaucher quelqu'un juste pour avoir des infos sur son concurrent?
Tous les coups sont ils permis dans les affaires?
Ethique des affaires: mirage ou réalité?

Et vous, que feriez vous? Savez vous quelles sont les limites entre intelligence économique et espionnage économique?

Voila les questions avec lesquelles je me débats depuis plusieurs mois déjà, pour écrire mon mémoire sur l'intelligence économique et l'éthique...

Intéressés par ces questions?

En voici la liste complète. Si vous voulez y répondre, copiez-collez les questions sur word, répondez-y et renvoyez moi le questionnaire sur mon adresse email....

1. What does the term « Competitive Intelligence » mean, according to you?

Is there, in your opinion, a difference between competitive intelligence and corporate espionage?

How would you define the limit between competitive intelligence and corporate espionage? 

2. Have you ever attended a Business Ethics class?

If yes, was the ethics of competitive intelligence discussed in this class?

If no, have you ever talked about competitive intelligence and ethics? Do you think that there is an ethical dimension to competitive intelligence issues?

3. Do you think that in the course of your career, you will be confronted to tasks involving competitive intelligence? If yes, describe them shortly.

4. Do you think that these tasks will pose an ethical dilemma to you?

5. Do you think that the legal framework fits with the ethical framework, when it comes to competitive intelligence?

If you don’t know the law in your country, please make a quick Google research: where do you stand now?

6. What are, according to you, the limits of competitive intelligence?

7. According to which criteria would you take a decision involving an ethical dilemma?

8. To whom would you turn to have advice about what conduct to adopt in terms of business ethics?

9. Do you think that competitive intelligence should be a regulated activity?

10. Would you, as a future professional, seek for the services of a firm specialized in competitive intelligence?

Why yes or no ?

11. What are, according to you, the tools companies may use in order to conduct competitive intelligence?

12. Do you think that your way of perceiving competitive intelligence is influenced by your culture?

Your country ?

Your studies ?

13. Do you think that teamwork at an international level is more likely to give rise to ethical dilemmas?

Especially in the field of competitive intelligence or in this field no more than any other? 

14. Do you consider being ready to deal with ethical dilemmas in your professional life?

15. Do you think that a class about business ethics, a debate, or a presentation by professionals would help you solve these potential dilemmas?

If yes, what would be, according to you, the most effective way to prepare you for this?

Do you think that ethics can be taught? 

Do you think that ethics are unchangeable at a personal level, and that they are the fruit of our childhood?

16. If you were to take a decision that is ethically questionable, and that would affect your competitor, would the nationality of that competitor have an impact on the scope of your decision?

17. What do you think of the following situations :

a. You are the passenger of a long distance flight. All of a sudden, you realize that in the row in front of you, two competitors are discussing the new product they’re about to launch. This piece of information is priceless, for your company. What would you do? Why?

b. The garbage cans of your competitors are easily accessible (they’re outside the building). If you were asked by your company to sift through it, would you do it? Why?

c. One of your colleagues presents to you a document that mentions the characteristics of a competitor’s new prototype. The information is very detailed. You do not know where the document comes from. What would you do? Why?

d. You have the possibility to hire an employee from your rival company, who worked in their R&D and/or marketing department until a few weeks ago. You know that the launching of a new product is imminent. Do you hire this employee? Why?

e. A federal agency offers to give you information about one of your competitors. Do you accept that information? Why? Is your answer different considering that the competitor is a foreign company, or not?

f. Would you ask a federal agency to look up information for you about one of your foreign rivals, on a very big deal?

18. If I told you that tomorrow, your answers will be published on the front page of the country’s most prominent newspaper, would it change your answers? Why?

19. If I told you that your answer would be read by someone whose opinion is of great importance to you (parents, friends, mentor…), would it change your answer?

20. Are there any questions missing in this questionnaire? If yes, could you write them down?

21. Would you like to add a comment or a remark?