Engineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-01Sewdass, NishaDu Toit, Adeline S.A.2015-12-032015-12-032015-07Sewdass, N & Du Toit, ASA 2015, 'Competitive intelligence in emerging economies : a comparative study between Brazil and South Africa', TD The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 113-132.1817-4434http://hdl.handle.net/2263/51017Competitive intelligence (CI) has long been recognised as a strategic management tool that could enhance competitiveness. CI is expected to play an essential developmental role in emerging economies. The need to enhance companies’ competitiveness has grown rapidly. CI is essential, and will increasingly be a challenge in the years to come, especially for emerging economies. This article will compare CI activities in South Africa with CI activities in Brazil. Companies in these two countries have faced increased environmental uncertainty and increasingly there is a need to compete. A questionnaire survey methodology was used where questionnaires were administered to CI experts in organisations in South Africa and Brazil. The findings of the study revealed that only a limited number of organisations in Brazil and South Africa recognise the importance of a CI unit. It was also interesting to note that the CI function is more mature in South Africa than in Brazil. As Brazil and South Africa become more integrated into the global economy, it stands to reason that the global economy will have more of an impact on the countries’ economies. To this end it has become more crucial to monitor global events and trends and it is very important for both countries to develop a CI culture.enVaal Triangle Faculty of Northwest University in South AfricaCompetitivenessEmerging economiesGlobal economyCompetitorsKnowledge economyCompetitive intelligence (CI)Engineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-01SDG-01: No povertyEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-08SDG-08: Decent work and economic growthEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureArticle