Validating elements of competitive intelligence for competitive advantage of construction firms in Ghana: A Delphi study

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the elements of competitive intelligence (CI) found in other countries that impact competitive advantage are relevant to the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). This Delphi study revealed 11 CI elements that impact competitive advantage of construction firms in Ghana. Intelligence of competitors' risks and existing opportunities in the industry recorded very high impact (VHI: 9.00-10.00), while the nine other elements recorded high impact (HI: 7.00-8.99) on the competitive advantage of construction firms. The study found that the elements of CI that impact construction firms' competitive advantage include intelligence on clients' bargaining power, fragmentation rate of the industry, and existing technologies in the industry. These elements of competitive intelligence are similar to those of other countries. It is recommended that intelligence on competitors' risks and existing opportunities in the industry should be prioritized in CI gathering. This study informs industry stakeholders of the elements of CI that impact construction firms' competitive advantage.