Facilitating Learning through Intellectual Capital in Social Service Nonprofit Organizations

Abstract

Very little research has focused on applying the concept of intellectual capital (IC) to facilitate learning processes in social service nonprofit organizations (SSNPOs). Like other organizations, SSNPOs need to learn new knowledge and unlearn outdated knowledge. After reviewing the literature, I argue that IC is a potent avenue which assists SSNPOs to facilitate learning and generate new knowledge. Thus I contribute to the literature by theoretically arguing that IC can be utilized as a conceptual framework which helps to develop a learning culture that transforms SSNPOs into dynamic learning organizations. I propose a holistic IC conceptual framework which helps nonprofit managers to visualize IC and its components in the organizations. Finally, I discuss the framework’s implications for effective learning and knowledge creation in SSNPOs.