Faculty Spotlight - Dr. Qingjiu Tom Tao

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“This is one of the very few professions that you’re actually really happy that your student will go farther than you. It’s the greatest profession in the world.” Dr. Qinqjiu Tom Tao

Dr. Tom TaoDr. Qingjiu Tom Tao was first interested in Competitive Intelligence in 1994, when the concept was first introduced in China. Over two decades later, he brings his experience and expertise to the Intelligence Analysis Program within the ISAT Department at James Madison University. Currently, Tao teaches as an Assistant Professor for the Intelligence Analysis Program (IA), focusing on the field of Competitive Intelligence (CI). “Competitive Intelligence is the ear and eyes of the organization,” said Tao. “What Competitive Intelligence does is to provide decision-makers timely, accurate, and reliable information and recommendations. This will, if implemented correctly, avoid a lot of mistakes in the business world.”

Tao earned his Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering with honors from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1991. Three years later, he received his Master of Science degree from the same university. His formal education culminated in 2004 with a Ph.D. in Strategic Planning and Public Policy from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business, with a major field in Strategic Management and a minor field in International Business. Before coming to JMU in 2009, Tao worked as an industry analyst and deputy chief editor for the China Aero-Information Center and taught as an Assistant Professor of Management at Lehigh University, College of Business and Economics at Lehigh University.

Tao’s research centers on business strategies and Competitive Intelligence in emerging market economies. This began with the first-ever survey of CI professionals on a national level in China, conducted by himself and Dr. John Prescott (University of Pittsburgh) from 1999-2000. “This paper was a pioneering piece in studying CI behaviors of managers in an emerging market context,” explained Tao. The work of Tao and Prescott has been the basis for following research projects in related areas. Currently, Tao is working on survey of Competitive Intelligence practitioners in China and Japan. Tao is undertaking this project in cooperation with a professor from Peking University in Beijing and the Japanese Society of Competitive Intelligence.

In addition to his research, Tao is also actively involved in the business world of Competitive Intelligence. “I believe in practicing what you preach,” said Tao. He has served on three different editorial boards for CI-related journals, and attends and participates in multiple conferences based around Competitive Intelligence. His experience and knowledge has even gained the notice of policy makers. “I was honored to have the chance to testify before a congressional commission (U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission) in 2008 on the development of China’s auto industry and its potential impact on the American market.”

 His research and work in the field of Competitive Intelligence means that Tao brings valuable connections and experience to his students. In particular, his private sector perspective setting provides unique insight. “My business training approach should complement an IA student’s existing intelligence training very well,” said Tao. He has leveraged his industry connections to benefit his students through hands-on experience; “This semester I’m helping one Fortune 100 company to work with our students on some real projects.”

Having begun his educational and professional experiences in China, Tao also brings an international edge to the program. “My connections with leading Chinese institutions such as Peking University will also give IA students the chance to interact with the best CI students in China and study the business practices of emerging Chinese multinational corporations.” In the coming years, Tao hopes these connections will allow him to create an exchange program for international Competitive Intelligence students to encourage a global perspective.

Looking to the future, Tao sees the need further growth of the competitive intelligence field in formal education. “Competitive Intelligence is critical to business decision making, and yet very few business schools in the U.S. and in the world have dedicated classes on CI.” Pointing to the success of the national security side of the IA program, Tao believes that JMU can position itself to be the premium leader in the Competitive Intelligence field. He hopes to play an active role in this expansion, saying, “JMU is one of the few universities that offers a degree program dedicated to CI, and it is my job and desire to further develop the program into an internationally-known CI education center.”

By Stephen Roddewig ('18) JMU CISE
Published October 5, 2015

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Published: Monday, October 5, 2015

Last Updated: Thursday, November 2, 2023

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