Intellectual Capital, Impact Factor in Competitiveness: SMEs Manufacturing Industry in Mexico.

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of the intellectual capital (IC) on the competitiveness in the SMEs manufacturing in Mexico.Design/methodology/approach: The approach of this investigation is developing a theoretical construct to determine the correlation between intellectual capital and competitiveness, and find the most relevant factors that impacts it, where IC is independent variable, and the competitiveness as dependant variable. Using the Likert scale in order to determine the degree of agreement or disagreement, and the survey was applied to 420 SMEs. The results were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's alpha and subsequently structural equation models (SEM).Findings: The results show that the IC dimensions the information obtained, intellectual capital developed and learning and feedback; have effect on the competitiveness of SMEs. The paper presents the theoretical validation of the factors that impact on intellectual capital and competitiveness, and hence the key elements that impact mostly on each analysed variable.Originality/value: This study shows the effects of the IC that are directly impacting the competitiveness of SMEs, so that each factor of the dependent and independent variables should be analysed separately to propose improvements in implementing CI to seek higher level of competitiveness.Practical implications: The results obtained measure the level of correlation between the variables in study, hence to design the strategies and key factors needed to integrate the intellectual capital and develop competitive synergies in the SMEs manufacturing.