Managing Intellectual Capital for SMEs’ Sustainable Development. A Conceptual Proposal

Abstract

This article contributes to the body of literature on intellectual capital (IC) and Islamic work ethics (IWE) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It aims to investigate the role of socio-economic factors in promoting sustainable development (SD) and value creation. Ibn Khaldun's theory of development is employed to identify the socio-economic factors underlying IC and IWE that play a role in the sustainable development (SD) of SMEs. The findings reveal five socio-economic activities form the foundation of the proposed conceptual framework which is aligned with three fundamental streams in economics and management studies (Ibn Khaldun's development theory, IC, and IWE).