Journal of Intellectual Capital

Name: Journal of Intellectual Capital
Creator: vLex
License: https://vlex.com/terms-of-service/

Publisher:: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Publication date:: 2021-02-01

ISBN:: 1469-1930

Issue Number

No. 26-7, December - January 2025

Latest documents

Intellectual capital-based research impact management: a strategic approach to increase regional intellectual capital
Purpose: Entrepreneurial universities, through their intellectual capital (IC), can promote the development of a third mission, which involves collaborating with business and societal organizations to create value. Joint research projects are undertaken within entrepreneurial universities leveraging their IC. These generate value for both the academic community and the territory as they generate impact, in terms of regional IC. At the micro level, scientists in the principal investigator (PI) role are influential actors in generating impact and IC that is beneficial for all joint project stakeholders. The purpose of the paper is to address the existing gap in entrepreneurial university literature concerning the impact generation process. Design/methodology/approach: The paper represents a theoretical contribution adopting a deductive approach. Findings: This paper proposes a novel approach to support PIs in entrepreneurial universities in the process of managing innovative initiatives toward IC impact generation. First, we present the IC-based Research Impact Tool (ICRIT) to guide PIs acting as explorative entrepreneurs; then we propose an IC-based Research Impact Report (ICRIR) including some key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate impact and IC. Research limitations/implications: The theoretical approach proposed could be developed further. This could be furthered through more empirical studies using initially, for example, comparative cross-country case study research. Originality/value: The paper sheds new light on the importance of the final impact generated by research initiatives, focusing on the crucial role played by PIs and promoting the adoption of an IC-based strategic approach, to maximize the final impact of projects, in terms of regional IC.
Universities as sustainability agents! Does green campus ensure green intellectual capital? A quantitative approach to the triggering role of green knowledge sharing and green innovation
Purpose: This article aims to explore the concept of green campus (GC) being implemented in Pakistan’s universities in order to attain green intellectual capital (GIC). Design/methodology/approach: Primary data were collected from the 20 public sector universities in the Punjab province, Pakistan. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS and MPLUS software. Findings: Results confirm that green practices help universities to attain GIC. Further, the results also confirm the mediating role of green knowledge sharing (GKS) and green innovation (GI). Research limitations/implications: The data were gathered from public sector universities in Pakistan. Hence, the findings of the present study may not be generalized to the private universities, other sectors or countries. Practical implications: This study provides insights regarding the implementation of GC paradigm from technological perspective. This can enhance the information exchange among sustainability practitioners in order to introduce innovative solutions for addressing sustainability challenges. Social implications: This study has developed a transdisciplinary policy framework that provides guidelines for higher education institutions in Pakistan to attain GI and IC. Originality/value: The originality lies in framing GC as a generator of GIC while also establishing a strong link between IC, economy and the environment by demonstrating how environmental sustainability initiatives influence economic gains through enhanced reputation, cost reduction and stakeholder engagement. This study has developed a theoretical framework based on resource-based theory, which supports the notion that GCs will lead to GIC by developing GKS and GI.
Exploring the link between sustainable performance and credit access: the moderating role of intellectual capital
Purpose: This paper aims to analyze the role of intellectual capital in the underexplored relationship between sustainable performance and credit access among private firms in Italy, where over 90% of businesses are small and medium enterprises. While D’Apolito et al. (2024) have investigated sustainability-linked bank financing among Italian listed small and medium-sized enterprises, this study takes a different approach by focusing on private firms and examining the influence of environmental, social and governance criteria on their credit access. The research seeks to deepen the understanding of how sustainable practices impact financial outcomes and access to funding for private enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: To investigate the relationship between sustainable performance and credit access as well as the moderating role of intellectual capital, this study employs an ordinary least squares regression model. It utilizes an innovative measure of sustainable performance for private firms – the legality rating issued by the Italian Competition Authority in 2022 – drawing on prior research to establish a robust analytical framework. Findings: The findings highlight the importance of incorporating environmental, social and governance criteria into the credit evaluation process for private firms. They underscore the critical role of intellectual capital – comprising human capital, structural capital and relational capital – as a moderating factor in the relationship between sustainable performance and credit access. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the moderating role of intellectual capital in the relationship between sustainable performance and credit access among Italian private firms. While substantial research exists on environmental, social and governance performance in large listed firms, there remains a notable gap concerning the sustainability criteria of private and unlisted entities. This study addresses this gap by providing insights into the unique dynamics of sustainable performance and financial access in the context of private enterprises.
Does intellectual capital matter in small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) decisions? Roles of resource integration capability and top management team involvement
Purpose: Drawing upon an integrative perspective from intellectual capital theory with upper echelon theory, we examined how intellectual capital affects resource integration capability and subsequent strategic decision-making under weak versus strong top management team (TMT) involvement behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between intellectual capital and strategic decision-making and the mediated moderating effect between intellectual capital and decision-making on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: Using statistical empirical analysis, we tested our research hypotheses via large-scale survey data from 323 SMEs. A regression analysis was applied to intellectual capital, resource integration capability and TMT involvement behavior to estimate their influence on strategic decision-making. Findings: Our findings suggest that the positive effect of intellectual capital on strategic decision-making via resource integration capability is conditional on TMT involvement behavior, underscoring the role of resource integration capability and TMT involvement behavior in intellectual capital. The results also indicate that intellectual capital and resource integration capability strengthen positive decision-making relationships. Furthermore, TMT involvement behavior strengthens the positive interaction effect of intellectual capital with resource integration capability. Practical implications: Intellectual capital is a critical and preeminent strategic resource for strengthening strategic decision-making, especially for SMEs. Notably, trends related to intellectual capital can be used to explore the management of SMEs and the corresponding contributions to and improvements in strategic decision-making. Specifically, intellectual capital can be used by SME management teams to formulate and implement relevant strategic decisions and enhance the effectiveness of decision-making, which are critical steps for success in decision-making processes. Originality/value: This research explored the relationships among intellectual capital, resource integration capability, TMT involvement behavior and strategic decision-making in a comprehensive mediated moderation model; it is the first known study to highlight that intellectual capital can enhance strategic decision-making and provide managerial implications regarding how to align resource integration capability and TMT involvement behavior while performing strategic decision-making.
Engagement strategies in a digital multigenerational world: insights from multinational companies on unlocking the potential of Human Capital 4.0
Purpose: This research explores human factors practices in the context of Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0 and the multigenerational workforce, promoting the evolution of Human Capital 4.0. With the emergence of generations Y and Z, organizations are more volatile, heightening the risk of tacit knowledge loss. Conditions conducive to retaining employees must be created, particularly by prioritizing engagement initiatives. Design/methodology/approach: Addressing these imperatives required the adoption of a comprehensive mixed-methods methodology, which integrated a systematic literature review, a qualitative thematic analysis of 30 interviews conducted with employees from three multinational organizations and a quantitative statistical analysis of a questionnaire gathering 560 responses. Findings: The study identifies essential practices for enhancing employee well-being, considering blue and white collars, using the PERMA model. It recommends adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and flexible work arrangements to improve positive emotion. Engagement is strengthened by aligning roles with employee strengths, offering ongoing learning opportunities and incorporating gamification. Strong Relationships are fostered through coaching, mentoring and participatory decision-making. Meaning in work is supported by encouraging a protean career attitude and integrating CSR activities to align personal and professional values. Accomplishment is achieved through lean management principles and recognition programs that facilitate goal achievement and employee appreciation. Originality/value: This is the first multigenerational study to include Gen Z, both blue- and white-collar workers and the PERMA model, offering a set of practices designed to improve Human Capital 4.0 retention. These practices target adaptation to both the digital paradigm and the multigenerational environment as well as addressing the phenomena of the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting.
Knowledge-oriented leadership and business performance: the mediating role of intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage in the knowledge-intensive service industry
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) and business performance (BP) in a knowledge-intensive industry and further investigate, heretofore neglected, a mediating effect of intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage in the relationship between KOL and BP. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative approach was adopted to conduct the present study. Data were collected from the full-service branches of private banks in Tehran, Iran. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to ascertain the validity and reliability of the observed items, and a structural equation model was employed for testing the proposed hypotheses. Findings: The findings revealed that both intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage fully mediate the influence of KOL on branch performance. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted in the banking sector in Iran. Therefore, our conclusions may not be applicable to other countries. Future studies should be carried out with samples from other contexts. Moreover, as the study was cross-sectional, the causal relationships could not be inferred directly. Practical implications: In this study, we found that knowledge-oriented leaders should increase their investment in intellectual capital to gain competitive advantage and improve branch performance. Originality/value: This study contributes to advanced research on KOL by trying to explain how intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage can influence the relationship between KOL and BP in a knowledge-intensive service industry.
Neuroethical implications of AI-driven productivity tools on intellectual capital: a theoretical and econometric analysis
Purpose: This study explores the dual impact of AI-driven productivity tools on employee performance, well-being and sustainability, focusing on the key metrics of productivity, innovation, stress, job satisfaction and sustainability. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses econometric models and simulated data and applies difference-in-differences and regression analysis to assess the effects of AI tools on 1,000 simulated employees. Findings: AI tools enhance productivity but offer limited support for innovation. They increase stress and reduce job satisfaction while improving governance outcomes and transparency. Research limitations/implications: Using simulated data may limit real-world applicability. Future studies should validate findings with empirical data regarding long-term sustainability impacts. Practical implications: A balanced AI strategy combining training and well-being support is vital to mitigate stress and sustain employee satisfaction during AI integration. Social implications: Monitoring employee well-being and sustainability metrics is fundamental to ensure responsible AI adoption. Originality/value: This research provides new insights into balancing AI’s productivity benefits with its psychological and ethical implications, offering guidelines for responsible implementation.
Business internationalization and intellectual capital components: the case of the Colombian manufacturing sector exports
Purpose: This paper aims to understand the impact of intellectual capital components (human, structural and relational capital) on business internationalization through exports, analyzing the Colombian manufacturing sector. Design/methodology/approach: A binomial logistic regression model was used in which the export propensity was the dependent variable. The explanatory variables consisted of the human capital, including training and managerial characteristics; the structural capital, including innovation, intellectual property, certifications and management and the relational capital, encompassing relationships with other companies, public entities and the domestic market. The Survey of Development and Technological Innovation - EDIT - Industry 2018, carried out by the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia, was used to collect data from 7,529 companies in 24 manufacturing subsectors. Findings: The research findings suggest that there is a positive relationship between internationalization and human capital (postgraduate, university and school training), with structural capital (innovation in organizational processes, ownership of patents, software rights, industrial rights, trademark registration, obtaining intellectual property rights, complexity in design, process certifications, compliance with technical requirements and the existence of production goals) and with relational capital (confidentiality agreements with other companies and contracts with the international public sector). Originality/value: This article contributes to the literature generating knowledge on the relationship between intellectual capital and the internationalization of Colombian industrial companies. It will also have managerial and social implications serving as input for the decision-making process of firms undergoing internationalization, and for policymakers.
Green intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage: unraveling role of environmental management accounting and green entrepreneurship orientation
Purpose: This present study investigates how green intellectual capital (GIC) impacts sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) in Spanish wineries, further exploring the mediating roles of environmental management accounting (EMA) and green entrepreneurship orientation (GEO) in the primary GIC-SCA linkage. Moreover, the wineries’ age, size and membership in a protected designation of origin (PDO) are introduced as control variables to enhance the accuracy of the examined cause-effect associations. Design/methodology/approach: This research, based on a theoretical framework developed by previous academic studies, utilizes partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data collected from 207 Spanish wineries between September 2023 and February 2024. Findings: The findings indicate that GIC positively impacts the SCA of Spanish wineries, with EMA and GEO partially mediating this relationship. Originality/value: This study stands out for its pioneering incursion into the joint analysis of EMA and GEO as mediating factors in the GIC-SCA relationship, a perspective not previously examined in the academic literature as well as for its contextualization in the wine business setting, thus tracing a novel path in the understanding of environmental management and wineries’ intellectual capital.
Appetite for risk: theoretical framework and practical application in a technology-based environment
Purpose: The research objective was twofold: first, to propose a novel framework for composing an organization’s aggregate risk appetite, and second, to demonstrate the application of this framework in a suitable organization. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual framework for defining an organization’s aggregate risk appetite was developed based on relevant organizational theory and research through the lens of knowledge management. The organizational appetite for risk framework was subsequently implemented at the São Paulo State Technological Research Institute (IPT) using the design science research approach. Finally, the implementation was carefully examined in order to encourage future applications and to further refine the appetite for risk framework. Findings: The composition and application of the proposed appetite for risk framework optimally identified the aggregated risk appetite of the complete test organization. Moreover, organizational differences between bottom-up tolerance and top-down appetite were revealed. Practical implications: Our main practical contribution is a comprehensive procedure to conduct a risk assessment and achieve an organization-wide aggregate risk appetite through the lens of knowledge management. Originality/value: Unlike past theory and research that take a strictly top-down approach to risk appetite, our framework integrates dispersed knowledge on risk-taking at various levels of the organization, thereby contributing to the underexplored role of bottom management in shaping aggregate risk appetite.