My answer would have been NO if it’s possible to know what’s going on at their end too but since I can’t then my answer is YES!!!

What’s your take?

Tres Ethical. Deeply ethical.

There's nothing wrong about studying their strategy but invading their privacy to learn about their detailed company information or any other form of espionage is unethical.

Studying their actions to find out their strategy is ethical. bribing their staff to tell you is not.

talking to their suppliers is ok. compromising their suppliers with promises or gifts is not.

No. lol, why would it be?

It's very ethical. Infact that's one of the most important business strategies. If you competitors are using a particular marketing strategy and it's working for them, it's common sense that you also incorporate it into your own business as well.

afam4eva:

It's very ethical. Infact that's one of the most important business strategies. If you competitors are using a particular marketing strategy and it's working for them, it's common sense that you also incorporate it into your own business as well.

perfectly said!
meanwhile, afam4eva, your site looks neater and better than it was the last time I checked on it. kudos!

.NET

What else are u supposed to be studying? Why the chicken crossed the road?

oooh that word! ETHICS. What does it even mean? one of those words that everyone has opinion on and can disagree on. The answer to your question is NO. unless you want to fail in business.

Is it legal? YES, Is it Ethical, YES and NO. There's a fine line between studying the model and at all means trying to adopt the model. Whatever approach you decide, depends on how ethics apply. It's ok to study it, however, I'm not certain but there are certain antitrust laws that bars such actions.

it is ethical, that is the purpose of ethics, u get that?

MarcAnthon:

What else are u supposed to be studying? Why the chicken crossed the road?

No what you should be studying is who else among the crowd framed Roger Rabbit. the chicken was just a diversion. the more important question is - who has enough cedis to pay the chicken to cross the road. hmmmn

Very ethical.

It's ethical indeed,

kodewrita:

Tres Ethical. Deeply ethical.

There's nothing wrong about studying their strategy but invading their privacy to learn about their detailed company information or any other form of espionage is unethical.

Studying their actions to find out their strategy is ethical. bribing their staff to tell you is not.

talking to their suppliers is ok. compromising their suppliers with promises or gifts is not.

Mostly candid!

No what you should be studying is who else among the crowd framed Roger Rabbit. the chicken was just a diversion. the more important question is - who has enough cedis to pay the chicken to cross the road. hmmmn.

No mind the guy. How else do u remain competitive in today's market if u ignore what ur competitors are doing?

@op, provided u apply prudence and caution, its ok.

Competitive Intelligence!

And, Competitive Intelligence is the core of Competitive Strategy.


It is important but care must be taken.

if its not corporate espionage, why not?

thats how businesses grow.

It's a necessity oo . . . in order to figure out their strengths and weaknesses,while trying to improve your organization's competitive advantage. As most people have already said,any form of espionage or mago-mago . . hehe ,is unethical.That simple.

takes lot of practice it helps[img]http://2.s07.flagcounter.com/count/DymW/bg=E6E6E5/txt=E6E6E5/border=E6E6E5/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/[/img]
[img]http://s07.flagcounter.com/count/DymW/bg=E6E6E5/txt=E6E6E5/border=E6E6E5/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/[/img]

There is totally nothing wrong with sturding your competitors strategies, beleive me, bussiness is more like warfare,u should always be able to predict ur competitors next move.

not only is it ethical it is very necessary if you want to remain relevant in the industry. In-fact facebook just recently added the ticker box that mimics twitter TL and groups an idea they openly stole from google+

i am not even sure ethics come into this. its more like using common sense. if their strategy is legal and its working, you would be an unserious business person if you didn't try to apply the formula to your own biz as long as there's no espionage and corrupting involved.

Very good question, I used to ask myself this same question on job assignments.

Yes. It's called Winning.

Art of war

If you don't study the competition how do you know what you're up against. Study away.

It is ethical and in fact a must.

Can you go into a boxing match blindfolded?

affirmative.

You think the phrase Case Study was invented by a pastor?

Look @ it this way, how can you compete without knowing what you are up against? Its insane not to study you competitors strategy!

Copy and tweak it some more to make them wonder if the idea was originally theirs to start with.

Not only is it ethical, it is VITAL to the growth and survival of your business.
If an organisation doesn't have competitors studying it, then you are really on a long thing.

kodewrita:

Tres Ethical. Deeply ethical.

There's nothing wrong about studying their strategy but invading their privacy to learn about their detailed company information or any other form of espionage is unethical.

Studying their actions to find out their strategy is ethical. bribing their staff to tell you is not.

talking to their suppliers is ok. compromising their suppliers with promises or gifts is not.

I have nothing left to say