Intellectual capital and resilience in torn societies
Journal of Intellectual Capital
ISSN: 1469-1930
Article publication date: 5 September 2019
Issue publication date: 1 October 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between intellectual capital (IC) and resilience in torn societies while proposing an integrative framework. Due to adversities faced by entrepreneurs in such contexts, an understanding of the role of resilience along with IC has become crucial for businesses to succeed and survive.
Design/methodology/approach
This study takes an in-depth look at the three components of IC – human, organizational and external capital and their association with resilience. In order to do so, a qualitative study on 17 Iraqi micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was conducted using data collected through semi-structured interviews with the founders. The interviews were translated and coded by native speakers.
Findings
The results suggest that IC and resilience are interrelated concepts where IC components contribute to the resilience capabilities of entrepreneurs to survive and continue their businesses during turbulent times.
Practical implications
Implications for managers and policymakers are presented; in brief, strategies and policies are required to support entrepreneurial success in the Iraqi context.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature on IC for entrepreneurs. So far, few studies have dealt with the association between IC and resilience, and less so in torn societies. This paper contributes to research on enterprise development and survival under conflict zones; it highlights some of the factors that could form resilience of a MSME in the face of uncertainty; and it contributes to the literature on IC as it helps us understand certain capacities that build up and/or support MSME resilience in such a context.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Iraq under project number 150328/160138; the Business in Conflict Areas Research Group (BICAR) at the Olayan School of Business; (OSB) and by the University Research Board (URB) at the American University of Beirut under project number 103606. The authors would like to thank Amani Fakih for her support and commitment to this project.
Citation
Daou, A., Joseph, J., Yousif, D.S., Fathallah, R. and Reyes, G. (2019), "Intellectual capital and resilience in torn societies", Journal of Intellectual Capital, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 598-618. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-01-2019-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited