Skip to main content
Log in

The critical role of hermeneutics in intelligence management

  • Original Article
  • Published:
OR Insight

Abstract

Within this article, the authors argue that intelligence management (IM) as a research area is critical for organisations. There is a need to focus on how conceptualisations of intelligence can be supported, especially when one considers the crucial role it plays in the highest echelons of most organisations. A conceptual view of IM is developed from the Problem Structuring Method, which provides a viable framework for addressing problems that are constituent of multiplicities in terms of not only actors, but also perspectives. Data are obtained for participation observation and action research. The study finds that organisations may need to concentrate on the human side of IM by embellishing the role of intelligence managers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Argyris, C. and Schon, D. (1991) Participatory action research and action science compared. In: W.F. Whyte (ed.) Participatory Action Research. Newbury Park, NJ: Sage, pp. 85–96.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Berger, P. and Luckman, T. (1967) The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. Garden City, New York: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boder, A. (2006) Collective intelligence: A keystone in knowledge management. Journal of Knowledge Management 10 (1): 81–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, C. and Cook, M. (2000) The Convergence of Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence. New York: Auerbach Publications, www.brint.com/members/online/20080108/intelligence/, accessed 8 July 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Earl, M. and Scott, I. (1999) What is a chief knowledge officer? Sloan Management Review 40: 29–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erden, Z., von Krogh, G. and Nonaka, I. (2008) The quality of group tacit knowledge. Journal of Strategic Information Systems 17 (1): 4–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gersh, J., Lewis, B., Montemayor, J., Piatko, C. and Turner, R. (2006) Supporting insight-based information exploration in intelligence analysis. Communications of the ACM 49 (4): 63–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, M., Arnott, D., Jagielska, I. and Melbourne, A. (2004) Evaluating the intangible benefits of business intelligence: Review & research agenda. Proceedings of the 2004 IFIP International Conference on Decision Support Systems (DSS2004): Decision Support in an Uncertain and Complex World: 295–305.

  • Gordon, T. (1992) Artificial intelligence: A hermeneutic defense. In: C. Floyd, H. Zullighoven, R. Budde and R. Keil-Slawik (eds.) Software Development and Reality Construction. Springer, pp. 280–290.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hansson, J. (2005) Hermeneutics as a bridge between the modern and the postmodern in library and information science. Journal of Documentation 61 (1): 102–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, S., Shue, L. and Lee, S. (2008) Business intelligence approach to supporting strategy-making of ISP service management. Expert Systems with Applications 35 (3): 739–754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maguire, S., Ojiako, G.U. and Robson, I. (2009) The intelligence alchemy – A perspective for the 21st century organisation. Strategic Change 18 (3–4): 125–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, B. (2001) Make money, not war: A brief critique of Sun Tzu's the art of war. Journal of Business Ethics 29 (3): 285–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mingers, J. and Rosenhead, J. (2004) Problem structuring methods in action. European Journal of Operational Research 152: 530–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, N. and Brown, J. (1993) Analyzing communication in and around organizations: A critical hermeneutic approach. Academy of Management Journal 36 (6): 15–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rittel, H. and Webber, M. (1973) Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sciences 4: 155–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenhead, J. (1996) What's the problem? An introduction to problem structuring methods. Interfaces 26 (6): 117–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenhead, J. (2006) Past, present and future of problem structuring methods. Journal of the Operational Research Society 57: 759–765.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandow-Quirk, S. (2002) A failure of intelligence. Prometheus 20 (2): 131–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, N. and Blixt, A. (1994) Emerging issues in competitive intelligence. Competitive Intelligence Review 6 (2): 42–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taplin, W. (1989) Six general principles of intelligence. International Journal of Intelligence and Counter Intelligence 3 (4): 475–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teo, T. and Choo, W. (2001) Assessing the impact of using the Internet for competitive intelligence. Information & Management 39 (1): 67–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tracy, S. (2007) Taking the plunge: A contextual approach to problem-based research. Communication Monographs 74: 106–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trim, P. and Lee, Y. (2008) A strategic marketing intelligence and multi-organisational resilience framework. European Journal of Marketing 42: 731–745.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vedder, R., Vanecek, M., Guynes, C. and Cappel, J. (1999) CEO and CIO perspectives on competitive intelligence. Communications of the ACM 42 (8): 108–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woolley, R. and Pidd, M. (1981) Problem structuring – A literature review. The Journal of the Operational Research Society 32 (3): 197–206.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Udechukwu Ojiako.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ojiako, U., Maguire, S., Robson, I. et al. The critical role of hermeneutics in intelligence management. OR Insight 25, 23–38 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1057/ori.2011.12

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/ori.2011.12

Keywords

Navigation