Abstract
Abstract Researching on the intellectual capital in universities is a challenging task due to the complexity of the intellectual processes within any university and the fuzziness of the basic concepts and methodologies developed so far. Universities are among the oldest social institutions and they concentrate high densities of intellectual capital. The concept of intellectual capital has been created as a result of increasing significantly the role of intangibles in economy and of the dramatic split between the book value and market value of the new companies based on intensive knowledge processes. Intellectual capital represents that component of the total capital of any organization which incorporates all intangible resources and their transformations. Intellectual capital is highly nonlinear by comparison with the capital containing tangible resources, which has a linear structure and Newtonian dynamics. The canonical structure of the intellectual capital is composed of human capital, structural capital, and relationship capital. This structural model has been used extensively in evaluating and reporting the intellectual capital of organizations, including universities. However, the Newtonian paradigm constitutes an important limitation in understanding properly both the nature of intellectual capital and how to manage it efficiently. Our research question is focused on how we can change that paradigm with a better one able to represents more adequately the nature and the basic structure of the intellectual capital. The methodology we used is based on in depth literature analysis, metaphorical thinking, critical thinking, and the multifield theory of knowledge. As a result of our research, this paper presents a new approach of the intellectual capital and its application to the universities.
Highlights
The concept of intellectual capital (IC) started as a promising discovery of the hidden potential of a company which contributes to its competitive edge (Edvinsson & Malone, 1997; Roos et al, 1997; Stewart, 1997, and Sveiby, 1997), and today it is at cross-roads due to its fuzziness and semantic dynamics (Dumay, 2013, 2016; Edvinsson, 2013)
The methodology designed for this conceptual research is based on three pillars: a critical analysis of the literature background concerning the intellectual capital of universities, a metaphorical analysis of the basic concepts used in knowledge dynamics and intellectual capital research, and a significance analysis of the indicators used for evaluation and reporting the intellectual capital of universities
The essence of both definitions is clear: the intellectual capital constitutes an integration of intangible resources, which are owned and controlled only partly by an organization
Summary
The concept of intellectual capital (IC) started as a promising discovery of the hidden potential of a company which contributes to its competitive edge (Edvinsson & Malone, 1997; Roos et al, 1997; Stewart, 1997, and Sveiby, 1997), and today it is at cross-roads due to its fuzziness and semantic dynamics (Dumay, 2013, 2016; Edvinsson, 2013). X) explained that in his view, “Intellectual capital is the sum of everything everybody in a company knows that gives it a competitive edge. “Intellectual capital is intellectual material – knowledge, information, intellectual property, experience – that can be put to use to create wealth”
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
