Psychological Micro-Foundations of Competitive Intelligence Capability: A Sequential Mediation Model
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Keywords

Competitive Intelligence
Childhood Anxiety
Emotional Regulation
Coping Strategy
Strategic Foresight
Intelligence Competencies

How to Cite

Li, J., & Minghat, A. D. B. (2026). Psychological Micro-Foundations of Competitive Intelligence Capability: A Sequential Mediation Model. Journal of Sustainable Competitive Intelligence , 16, e0627. https://doi.org/10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.627

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines how psychological micro foundations contribute to the execution of competitive intelligence (CI) as a structured organizational capability. Specifically, it investigates whether childhood anxiety influences competitive intelligence competencies through emotional regulation and adaptive coping mechanisms.

Methodology/approach: Using a cross-sectional survey of professionals engaged in strategy and competitive intelligence functions, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to test a sequential mediation model. Constructs included childhood anxiety, emotional regulation, coping strategies, and CI competencies aligned with intelligence-cycle execution.

Originality/Relevance: By situating psychological micro foundations within intelligence governance systems, the study bridges developmental psychology and sustainable competitive intelligence scholarship. It clarifies how individual regulatory competencies support structured decision architectures that contribute to sustainable competitive advantage.

Key findings: Results indicate that childhood anxiety does not directly predict competitive intelligence capability. Instead, its influence is mediated by emotional regulation and adaptive coping. Regulated vigilance strengthens disciplined participation in intelligence-cycle activities such as signal detection, analytical transformation, and strategic dissemination.

Theoretical/methodological contributions: This article builds the theory of competitive intelligence by incorporating the developmental and emotional regulation viewpoints into the construction of the competencies of intelligence. It presents a mediation model, which redefines the notion of vulnerability as a possible cognitive-strategic resource in adaptive regulatory situations. The framework builds on the micro-foundations of competitive intelligence and opens the ecumenical approach to empirical research.

https://doi.org/10.37497/eagleSustainable.v16i.627
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