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1 – 10 of over 12000Inese Spica, Baiba Berzina and Ernests Spics
Innovation project development is becoming more important in boosting competitiveness of universities and enterprises. It will not be possible to ensure rapid economic growth of…
Abstract
Innovation project development is becoming more important in boosting competitiveness of universities and enterprises. It will not be possible to ensure rapid economic growth of enterprises without competitive innovations and without their introduction into education and business practice. The object of the research paper is innovations in teaching entrepreneurship. The subject of the research paper is analysis of the effective entrepreneurship education at the universities. The objective of the research paper is to study the integration process of technological business environment (TBE), intellectual capital (IC) formation, innovation project (IP) development at the universities and enterprises.
The tasks advanced in order to reach the objective: to identify the concept of IC, IP, the methodology of IP development at the universities, their main actions and methods; to carry out analysis of the TBE in Latvia, indicators characterizing it environment, the factors of TBE influencing IC, IP development at the universities and enterprises; to estimate the IP development as the teaching method at the universities and business practice in Latvia. The research period is from the year 2007 till the year 2020. This is the first research on the analysis of indicators of TBE influencing IC formation, IP development at the universities; the efficiency of involvement of academic staff in the formation of IC and IP development into entrepreneurship education in Latvia; definition of the IP development as the teaching method and presentation of its theoretical and practical interpretation.
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Vadim Krivorotov, Alexey Kalina, Vasiliy Tretyakov, Sergey Yerypalov and Anna Oykher
The purpose of this study is to develop a model for the selection of optimal development projects for an industrial complex (IC), aimed at improving its competitiveness.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a model for the selection of optimal development projects for an industrial complex (IC), aimed at improving its competitiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
Selection of optimal projects for IC development is carried out within the framework of a methodical approach to assessing and forecasting the competitiveness of IC based on the phased implementation of the following steps: assessment of the current level of competitiveness of an IC; optimization of the project portfolio aimed at improving the IC competitiveness; forecasting the IC competitiveness. The methodology for assessing the IC competitiveness is based on a comparative analysis of its activities against those of its leading competitors and evaluates two integral characteristics, namely, the level of current competitiveness and the indicator of the competitive potential. The methodical approach to the selection of the optimal portfolio of projects for the development of competitiveness is based on a step-by-step optimization of the portfolio using a dynamic programming procedure, which takes into account the implementation conditions of the projects, resource constraints and the prioritization of these projects. The targeted benchmark for the optimization is an integral indicator of IC competitiveness, comprising various aspects of its activities.
Findings
Method for multi-factor evaluation of IC competitiveness and the impact of a set of factors driving competitive advantage; set of benchmarks of IC competitiveness; the model for the selection and step-by-step optimization of the portfolio of IC development projects, aimed at increasing competitiveness in the context of resource constraints.
Practical implications
Methodology described in this paper was used to assess the competitiveness and optimize the project portfolio of Uralelektrotyazhmash Group of Enterprises (UETM), one of the largest power engineering complexes in Russia. The assessment was carried out in comparison with the leading domestic and global manufacturers of electrical equipment, which form UETM’s primary competition in the marketplace.
Originality/value
The study establishes a method for the comprehensive assessment of IC competitiveness based on the comparison of IC activity indicators with those of leading competitors. The proposed method defines an integral competitiveness index to allow for the quantitative assessment of IC competitiveness, development of measures to improve IC competitiveness and producing a methodology to forecast the impact of such measures; the study proposes a methodical approach to selecting the optimal portfolio of projects for the development of IC based on the stepwise optimization of such a portfolio while taking into account the conditions of their implementation, resource constraints and the impact on the indicator of competitiveness. This approach allows the IC to prioritize the implementation of the development projects and maximize its competitiveness in the context of available resources.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine how an enabling management control system (MCS) affected intellectual capital (IC) development in an organisation. The study explores the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how an enabling management control system (MCS) affected intellectual capital (IC) development in an organisation. The study explores the effect of a change from a coercive to an enabling control system on situated learning and the development of IC.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study was conducted in a large manufacturing organisation to explore the effect of a redesigned MCS on IC development. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit understanding of the effect of the new system on situated learning and valuable local knowledge and relationship development.
Findings
The enabling way in which the MCS was designed introduced empowerment and accountability for financial and operational performance at all levels of the organisational hierarchy, which stimulated situated learning in a way that developed the organisation’s IC.
Originality/value
New insight is provided into the way management accounting practice can deliver valuable outcomes to organisations. First, into how MCSs design can stimulate the development of valuable local knowledge and relationships as IC. Second, into how MCS design can affect non-management employees. While prior studies have focussed on managers, this research is novel in showing how enabling controls affect non-management employees.
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Carla Del Gesso, Paola Parravicini and Renato Ruffini
Intellectual capital (IC) is an increasingly important strategic asset for sustainable value creation in organisations. This paper aims to provide a conceptual perspective on the…
Abstract
Purpose
Intellectual capital (IC) is an increasingly important strategic asset for sustainable value creation in organisations. This paper aims to provide a conceptual perspective on the university’s role as a catalyst for IC creation and development within the dynamic landscape of organisations, exploring the nexus to capture its essence.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a conceptual framework development approach, key concepts were cohesively and coherently synthesised from various theoretical underpinnings, namely, the multiple capitals approach to maximising corporate value creation, the evolved triple bottom line approach to corporate sustainability, the triple helix innovation model and its subsequent extensions, the upper echelons theory and the social licence construct linked to stakeholder, legitimacy and institutional theories.
Findings
A comprehensive conceptual framework was developed that outlines universities’ role in catalysing four corporate IC forms crucial to sustainable organisational value creation: human capital, governance capital, social/relational capital and structural/organisational capital. The framework interprets this role of universities as dynamic IC reservoirs serving regional ecosystems for sustainable development. It highlights the synergistic sustainable value creation between universities and organisations in host communities and broader society, with university governance acting as a key driver.
Originality/value
This paper offers a theoretically grounded interpretation of universities’ pivotal role in catalysing essential forms of IC to support contemporary organisations’ sustainable value-creation processes. The proposed framework has the potential to ignite conversations on the crucial connection between universities and corporate IC development relevant to sustainable organisations, inspiring future empirical research, reflection and discussion.
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Jorge Casas Novas, Maria do Céu Gaspar Alves and António Sousa
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of management accounting systems (MAS) in the development of intellectual capital (IC) – i.e. human capital (HC), structural…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of management accounting systems (MAS) in the development of intellectual capital (IC) – i.e. human capital (HC), structural capital (SC) and relational capital (RC) – and the resultant effects on organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was developed to conduct a survey of high-level managers of Portuguese companies. The data collected were analyzed through the use of structural equation modeling with AMOS.
Findings
Statistical support was found for six out of nine hypothesized relationships. The findings confirm the role of MAS in the development of HC and SC. Results also showed positive and statistically significant relationships between the three dimensions of IC, in line with previous research. Finally, results indicated that SC has a positive and significant link with organizational performance, in keeping with some research.
Research limitations/implications
The estimation procedure allowed only a partial validation of the proposed model because, although positive, the relationships between MAS and RC, between HC and performance and between RC and organizational performance were not statistically significant.
Practical implications
The study highlights the role of MAS as information networks that collect, process and communicate information that influences the development of IC, as well as networks of relationships that support the establishment of conditions for the creation and integration of organizational knowledge and the development of IC.
Originality/value
In this research, an arguably more complete framework of the relations between MAS, IC and performance is developed and empirically tested. Despite the existence of some literature addressing the relationship between MAS and IC, this is the first study, of which authors are aware, that focuses specifically on the relationships between MAS and the three dimensions of IC (HC, SC and RC), as well as their effects on organizational performance.
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This study aims to examine how intercultural competence (IC) among university students can be enhanced through two streams of higher education internationalization…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how intercultural competence (IC) among university students can be enhanced through two streams of higher education internationalization: internationalization abroad and internationalization at home (IaH). By doing so, it aims to improve university students' IC through identifying which factors are more effective in fostering IC.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is not solely a literature review, but rather a conceptual exploration based on a selective review of the literature. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, we employed a thematic analysis approach to reviewing English language literature while incorporating relevant Chinese literature to ensure a more balanced representation.
Findings
We found that international students’ IC is influenced by their overseas learning experiences, which are closely related to the duration of stay, language proficiency, intercultural contact, university management and teachers and administrative support. On the other hand, domestic students’ IC has been influenced by various IaH experiences primarily within their home university campus, such as foreign language learning, international curriculum, extracurricular activities, communication between domestic and international students, integrated management of international students, the use of Internet and communication technology and so forth. Although a direct and definitive comparison is lacking, some comparative analyses suggest that IaH experiences may yield better results in enhancing the IC of domestic students.
Originality/value
This article advances the understanding of IC development. We call for further research that values the importance of IaH in the increasingly uncertain globalization and delves into comparative analysis of the effects of two streams of higher education internationalization.
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Mario J. Donate, Fátima Guadamillas and Miguel González-Mohíno
This paper aims to analyze factors based on organizational knowledge management (KM; transactional memory systems and knowledge-oriented leadership [K-OL]) that help firms to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze factors based on organizational knowledge management (KM; transactional memory systems and knowledge-oriented leadership [K-OL]) that help firms to mitigate conflicts based on task management at work, with the aim to improve their innovation capabilities (IC). The knowledge-based view of the firm, conflict management theory and cognitive collective engagement theory have been used to build a model of relationships that connects the development of positive KM contexts and management of dysfunctional conflict with IC improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
Data survey collected from inland hotel establishments in Spain is used to test seven hypotheses by means of structural equations modeling, applying the partial least squares technique. Direct, indirect and mediating relationships between variables are examined from the structural path model.
Findings
The results confirm that, as expected, IC improve when K-OL and transactive memory systems (TMSs) are properly implemented by hotel establishments, which leads them to reduce negative effects of task management conflict (TMC). Significant direct effects are found between the key variables of the study and also a significant indirect effect between K-OL and IC through TMS reinforcement and the mitigation of TMC.
Practical implications
This paper provides useful ideas for hotel managers about how to improve KM contexts in their establishments while avoiding TMC. Efforts devoted to creating those contexts by hotel establishments are shown to be effective to improve their IC and create competitive advantages.
Originality/value
The analysis of IC improvement by studying TMC mitigation had not been researched to date by the KM literature. The consideration and testing of a model that integrates KM-related tools such as K-OL and TMS to avoid TMC in the hotel industry is the main contribution of this study.
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Jingqin Su, Huanhuan Ma and Shuai Zhang
In the face of fierce international competition for those participating in global value chains (GVCs), upgrading has been a central concern of emerging market firms (EMFs) that…
Abstract
Purpose
In the face of fierce international competition for those participating in global value chains (GVCs), upgrading has been a central concern of emerging market firms (EMFs) that are trying to occupy higher value-added positions. However, although the innovation capabilities (ICs) have been generally considered critical to upgrading in GVCs, few studies have examined how IC is built up and then applied to the EMF upgrading process over time. To this end, the purpose of this paper is to investigate why and how EMFs can upgrade in GVCs through the development of their IC.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a multiple-case study of three supplier firms in China and their IC development processes, with a special focus on the nature of the firm-level upgrading in GVCs.
Findings
The results generate a process model of EMFs upgrading with respect to the development of IC. The model reveals how IC is built up through the firms' underlying systematic innovation activities, which enable firms to successfully upgrade within GVCs. In particular, the role played by contextual vulnerability in guiding firms to develop the appropriate IC, and the corresponding upgrading, is highlighted.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the micro-foundation in GVCs literature, especially the traditional static upgrading research of EMFs. The authors also contribute to existing IC development research. Meanwhile, the study focuses on the upgrading of three Chinese firms in the phone and LED industries. The generalizability to other emerging markets and industries may therefore be limited.
Practical implications
The study results show that EMFs could initially develop endogenous IC that focuses on process innovation as a means to establish a foundation for further upgrading. In addition, firms need to improve their ability to accurately sense contextual changes. As such, it would be valuable to understand their positions and characteristics within GVCs.
Originality/value
This paper investigates a process model of upgrading in GVCs through IC development in EMFs. This study also adds a dynamic micro-foundation to existing, rather macro and static GVCs studies.
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Bushra Meaad Ramadan, Samer Eid Dahiyat, Nick Bontis and Mahmoud Ali Al-dalahmeh
The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the mediating effect of social capital (SC) on knowledge management (KM) and intellectual capital (IC).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the mediating effect of social capital (SC) on knowledge management (KM) and intellectual capital (IC).
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model of the connections between IC, KM, and SC was developed and the posited hypotheses were tested using a survey data set of 281 questionnaires collected from knowledge workers working in 72 information and communications technology companies operating in Jordan.
Findings
The findings show that knowledge documentation and knowledge transfer emerged as having the strongest effects on IC, followed by knowledge acquisition and knowledge creation, while knowledge application was found to have an insignificant effect. Also, knowledge transfer and knowledge acquisition emerged as the only two significant processes for the development of SC. Moreover, SC was found to partially and significantly mediate the effects of all processes on IC.
Practical implications
To promote the development of IC, particularly, in a knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) sector, documentation, transfer, acquisition, and creation of knowledge are especially effective processes. Furthermore, SC can be significantly enhanced through ensuring effective internal knowledge transfer and acquisition practices. Nurturing IC in a knowledge-intensive context can also be significantly enhanced through looking at the firm as a cooperative knowledge-sharing entity, i.e. investing in SC.
Originality/value
This is the first empirical study that has examined the links among KM processes, SC, and IC in a KIBS sector within an “oil-poor,” “human resource-rich” Arab developing country context.
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Carol Y.Y. Lin and Leif Edvinsson
The threefold purpose of this paper is to reflect on the evolution and transformation of the Journal of Intellectual Capital (JIC) over the past 20 years, to project its future…
Abstract
Purpose
The threefold purpose of this paper is to reflect on the evolution and transformation of the Journal of Intellectual Capital (JIC) over the past 20 years, to project its future research directions, and, finally, to propose an IC ecosystem.
Design/methodology/approach
We adopted a combination of a narrative and a systematic review of 700 JIC papers appearing in the journal in its entirety, from Volume 1 (2000) to Volume 20 (2019). The categorization of topics is based on the frequency of keywords in the titles of the papers.
Findings
Scholars have proposed four stages of intellectual capital (IC) research: definition/awareness, measurement/management, implementation/strategy, and ecosystem. Over the past 20 years, a total of 16 special issues were published in the journal. The five topics with the highest paper counts in descending order are country-specific studies, concept papers, reporting and disclosure, measurement and performance. Four issues require the researcher’s special attention: theoretical development, IC research methodology, national intellectual capital, and data collection. An IC ecosystem is proposed to invite discussion and refinement. For future research, ecosystem-oriented and interdisciplinary research are suggested. Research design aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goals are encouraged.
Research limitations/implications
Intellectual capital research has implications for four major types of stakeholders, namely academia, government agencies, practitioners, and top management team of organizations. The major limitation of this research is that this review of twenty years of intellectual capital research is limited exclusively to the papers published in the JIC; IC papers published in relevant journals or conferences were not included.
Originality/value
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the articles published in the first 20 volumes of the JIC. The field of intellectual capital has evolved from the social construction of IC knowledge to IC knowledge diffusion and inheritance. Hopefully, a fully developed IC ecosystem will eventually emerge. IC researchers can position themselves in the IC research continuum and devise distinctive pathways to enhance their contributions to the transformation of IC research.
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