The Role of Competitive Intelligence in NavigatingGeopolitical Uncertainty in CEE Business Environment

The Central and Eastern European (CEE) region is experiencing profound geopolitical turbulence, characterised by the ongoing war in Ukraine, persistent dependency on external energy supplies, fragmented supply chains, and the complex process of European Union integration (Mackinnon, 2022; Jakobi, 2020). These dynamics generate heightened uncertainty for businesses, demanding innovative approaches to strategic adaptation and risk management. Competitive Intelligence (CI) has been increasingly recognised as a strategic capability that supports organisations in systematically collecting, analysing, and applying information to anticipate risks, exploit opportunities, and maintain competitiveness (Calof & Wright, 2008; Fleisher & Bensoussan, 2015). This article investigates the role of CI in enhancing organisational resilience and strategic agility in the CEE business environment. Drawing on the literature on intelligence practices (Du Toit, 2015; Calof, 2017) and recent empirical developments in the region (IMF, 2025; Reuters, 2025a), the study illustrates how CI contributes to proactive responses to geopolitical risks, supports decision-making under uncertainty, and strengthens adaptive capacity. The findings are expected to contribute to academic debates on international business strategy and geopolitical risk management while providing practical recommendations for managers navigating volatile environments in CEE.