ABSTRACT
This chapter explores two fields where business wargaming can potentially make significant contributions, strategic early warning systems and corporate reputation management. The objective of a strategic early warning system is to detect weak signals. Detecting these signals in an organizations environment is achieved by scanning its environment. Environmental scanning describes a process in which the environment of an organization is systematically scanned for relevant information. Over the past decade managers, particularly in the US, came to realize that intangible assets could generate far more value for a corporation than the immediate benefits generated through patent protection. Managers have recognized that the intangible asset of corporate reputation offers their companies a sustainable competitive advantage over their competitors as it generates greater sympathy with their current and future customers, employees, investors, and suppliers. Corporate reputations are fragile and take a long time to build, but a few incidents of irresponsible behavior may destroy them.
