Market Intelligence - a conceptual approach

Nowadays the biggest challenge for managers is obtaining business information that should support decision-making processes. The main task of decision makers is to understand the operating environment in order to compete effectively and as a result, to achieve success and development. Market intelligence as a practical program collects information about the market and its players through constant monitoring of the environment and ongoing changes that are observed, as well as in a form of ad hoc projects. Nowadays market intelligence in many companies has reached a position that compares to other professional management support functions, such as risk management or public relations. The aim of the article was to provide an explanation of the essence of market intelligence as a concept that plays a crucial role in generating valuable knowledge about the market, building competitiveness of enterprises and achieving growth in a specific market. The authors present the results of introductory research on functioning of programs used for obtaining knowledge about the market in regional enterprises. The research was conducted in big and medium-sized enterprises in Lodz province by means of a personal interview and a measurement tool was a questionnaire.