Competitor intelligence is:
a. illegal to gather under the sarbanes-oxley act.
b. legally or illegally gained data about competitors' internal strategic processes and competitive decisions.
c. strategic information gained from industrial espionage targeting international competitors.
d. the set of data and information the firm gathers to better understand competitors' objectives, strategies, assumptions, and capabilities.

Competitor intelligence is the set of data and information the firm gathers to better understand competitors' objectives, strategies, assumptions, and capabilities.

Option D

Explanation:

No organisation can grow in isolation in today’s time of globalisation; therefore, it becomes essential for every organisation to be aware of the happening of the outside world.

This purpose is served by Competitive Intelligence which analyses the set of information pertaining to the competitor, their customers, technology, etc.  It is a legal and ethical business practise unlike industrial espionage which is considered illegal.

External business environment is the focus area of this practise. It helps the organisation to identify risks and the opportunities which are out there in the market.

explanation:

pay attention. give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge the message.

show that you're listening. use your own body language and gestures to show that you are engaged.

provide feedback.

defer judgment.

respond appropriately.

is there a year set? the question is incomplete