Are environmental scanning units effective?

This article describes results of three empirical studies of formal environmental scanning systems. Two of these studies, Fahey and King (1978) and Thomas (1980) have already appeared in journals. The third study, presented here, is a longitudinal extension of Fahey and King. The article focuses on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Long range planning 1982-06, Vol.15 (3), p.139-145
Main Author: Stubbart, Charles
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Business conditions
Environmental scanning
Forecasting
Forecasting - methods
Health administration
Long term planning
Models, Theoretical
Organization and Administration
Planning Techniques
Strategic planning
Studies
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Summary:This article describes results of three empirical studies of formal environmental scanning systems. Two of these studies, Fahey and King (1978) and Thomas (1980) have already appeared in journals. The third study, presented here, is a longitudinal extension of Fahey and King. The article focuses on a debate over the extent and effectiveness of formal environmental scanning; the Thomas study generally optimistic, the Fahey-King and Stubbart studies less so. A number of factors which influence the growth pattern of environmental scanning units are discussed: attitudes of academics and media, demonstrated success, and veteran personnel foster scanning unit acceptance; changes in top management, decentralization, financial controls, defining information needs, unknown personnel, and difficulties in obtaining/integrating technical and political-government information threaten scanning unit success. The effect of organization performance on scanning unit survival is assessed; it is concluded that poor performance often leads to unsettling changes in scanning practices. Finally, academics and managers are cautioned not to expect too much from environmental scanning.
ISSN:0024-6301
1873-1872
DOI:10.1016/0024-6301(82)90035-8