environmental scanning

(noun)

The study and interpretation of the political, economic, social, and technological events and trends that influence a business, an industry, or even a total market

Related Terms

Examples of environmental scanning in the following topics:

  • Scanning and Analysis

    • Environmental scanning is one technique used by organizations to monitor the environment.
    • One technique used by organizations to monitor the environment is known as environmental scanning.
    • In a sense, such data collection scanning acts as an early warning system for the organization.
    • A formal but simple strategic information scanning system can enhance the effectiveness of the organization's environmental scanning efforts.
    • Describe how environmental scanning helps marketers understand the current state of the marketplace

  • General Economic Conditions

    • One technique used by organizations to monitor the environment is known as "environmental scanning," which refers to activities directed toward obtaining information about events and trends that occur outside the organization and that can influence the organization's decision making.
    • In a sense, such data collection scanning acts as an early warning system for the organization.
    • A formal but simple strategic information scanning system can enhance the effectiveness of the organization's environmental scanning efforts (see for the main internal and external factors).
    • One element of environmental scanning is the general economic environment.

  • Combining Internal and External Analyses

    • Environmental scanning focuses mainly on the macro-environment of a business.
    • The ability to change depends on the ability to scan the environment, evaluate markets, and quickly accomplish reconfiguration and transformation ahead of the competition.

  • Competitive Dynamics

    • As a result, traditional environmental scanning places many firms at risk of dangerous competitive "blind spots" due to a lack of robust competitor analysis.

  • Scanned-Probe Microscopy

    • Scanned-probe microscopy uses a fine probe rather than a light-beam or electrons to scan the surface of a specimen and produce a 3D image.
    • Scanned-probe microscopy (SPM) produces highly magnified and three-dimensional-shaped images of specimens in real time.
    • A scan may cover a distance of over 100 micrometers in the x and y directions and 4 micrometers in the z direction.
    • Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) scans a very small light source very close to the sample.
    • Describe the different types of scanning probe techniques and their advantages over other types of microscopy

  • Bone Scans

    • Bone scans are a special type of nuclear scanning test that is often used to find bone cancer or bone inflammation.
    • A bone scan picks up excessive osteoblastic activity, so it is useful for finding metastasized cancer tumors in the bone.
    • A bone scan is a nuclear scanning test to find certain abnormalities in bone that are triggering the bone's attempts to heal.
    • A nuclear bone scan is a functional test, which means it measures an aspect of bone metabolism or bone remodeling .
    • Not all tumors are easily seen on the bone scan.

  • Epsilonproteobacteria

    • There have also been numerous environmental sequences of Epsilonproteobacteria recovered from hydrothermal vents and cold seep habitats.
    • This scanning electron microscope image shows the characteristic spiral, or corkscrew, shape of C. jejuni cells and related structures.

  • X-Ray Imaging and CT Scans

    • CT Scans use the assistance of a computer to take this information, and generate 3 dimensional images.
    • CT scans, or computed tomography scans use a combination of X-ray radiography and tomography to produce slices of areas of the human body.
    • Doctors can analyze the area, and based on the ability of the material to block the X-ray beam, understand more about the material. shows a CT Scan of a human brain.
    • Although generally these scans are shown as in , the information recorded can be used to create a 3 dimensional image of the area. shows a three dimensional image of a brain that was made by compiling CT Scans.

  • Specialty Microscopes and Contrast

    • There are many types of microscopes: optical microscopes, transmission electron microscopes, scanning electron microscopes and scanning probe microscopes.
    • Microscopes can also be classified based on whether they analyze the sample by scanning a point at a time (scanning electron microscopes), or by analyzing the entire sample at once (transmission electron microscopes).
    • Scanning Electron Microscopes: Referred to as SEM, these microscopes look at the surface of objects by scanning them with a fine electron beam .
    • Atomic Force Microscopy: The AFM is a scanning probe type of microscopy with very high resolution and is one of the foremost tools for imaging at the nanoscale.

  • Neurocognitive Disorders

    • There is no lab test that will clearly identify the disease, but brain scans are sometimes used to rule out disorders that could give rise to similar symptoms.
    • A number of environmental factors have been associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's, including pesticide exposure, head injuries, and heavy metals exposure.
    • This PET scan shows the image of the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease, indicating a loss of function in the temporal lobe.