Dr Marie-Luce Kuhn is a Director and Competitive Intelligence Analyst with IBIS Business and Information Services (www.ibis.co.za) founded in 1997, and has a distinguished career in competitive intelligence, international trade (exports) and knowledge management.
Dr. Kuhn is a renowned expert in the field of competitive intelligence and has helped businesses and organizations across South Africa stay ahead by optimising competitiveness. Her background in intelligence has given her a unique perspective on the business and competitive and trade landscape. Her deep understanding of the science behind competitive intelligence, regardless the industry, allows her to provide valuable insights to her clients. These clients include pharmaceutical companies, venture capitalists, and academic institutions. Her expertise in scientific research and analysis has enabled her to provide critical information on industry trends, potential competitors, and new technologies. Throughout her career, Dr. Kuhn has been recognized for her contributions to the field of competitive intelligence. She is known for her ability to identify emerging trends and opportunities and provide actionable insights to her clients.
Dr. Kühn has participated in several international research projects on subjects ranging from competitive intelligence to export promotion and industry analyses. Her consulting activities also involve tracking and scanning competitive forces for a variety of companies, commissioned research for various companies and institutions and promoting teaching and research on the competitiveness, competitive intelligence and strategy and trade. In addition, Dr. Kuhn is also a dedicated educator and mentor. She has assisted numerous students in the fields of information management and competitive intelligence, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry.
Dr. Kühn has published extensively on the topic of competitive intelligence including the first article on competitive intelligence in South Africa. She is credited as having established Competitive intelligence as a study field in South Africa and has published a series of books on Competitive Intelligence. In 2002, she developed the first university training course in strategic and competitive analysis that is presented annually at a leading university and is actively involved in developing competitive intelligence analysis capabilities in companies and training programs for tertiary education institutions in South Africa. She is also a guest lecturer and provides support to post graduate students in the field of competitiveness.
Dr Kühn holds a PhD (International Trade) from the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) and received the Absa Bronze Medal for Best Master’s Dissertation in the Humanities in March 2005. Her PhD concerned the information requirements of South African exporters and matching those with currently available sources of such information. She is also an Extraordinary Research Scientist attached to the TRADE research focus area at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) since 2014.