Developing Competitive Intelligence Capabilities in MBA Education: A Pedagogical Framework for Strategic Decision-Making in the Age of AI

Competitive intelligence (CI) is increasingly important for managerial decision-making amid technological disruption, intensified competition, and environmental uncertainty. Nevertheless, MBA programs rarely teach CI as an integrated managerial capability. Drawing on literature concerning competitive intelligence, dynamic capabilities, experiential learning, strategic foresight, and management education, this conceptual article develops a pedagogical framework for incorporating CI into MBA curricula. The framework comprises four mutually reinforcing capability domains: external awareness, analytical intelligence, strategic foresight, and decision support. It connects these capabilities with appropriate learning objectives, experiential teaching methods, assessment practices, and managerial applications. The article also examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in CI education. It argues that although AI can accelerate information collection, pattern identification, and preliminary analysis, effective intelligence still requires source verification, contextual interpretation, ethical judgment, and managerial accountability. The proposed framework positions CI not as a narrowly specialized information function but as a cross-functional managerial capability connecting environmental sensing with strategic action. By integrating human judgment, AI-enabled analysis, and experiential learning, MBA programs can better prepare managers to recognize consequential change, challenge established assumptions, communicate uncertainty, and make informed strategic decisions.