The transformation of the organization’s intellectual capital: from resource to capital

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Lentjušenkova ◽  
Inga Lapina

Purpose Over the last three decades, the role of intellectual capital (IC) in ensuring an organization’s competitiveness has increased significantly. The purpose of this paper is to analyse and evaluate the evolution of the concept of (IC) by showing its transformation from resource to capital, while offering a new perspective on the structure of (IC). Design/methodology/approach The formation and development of (IC) is studied on the basis of literature review, logical and comparative analysis. The new structural components of (IC) are defined upon studying the relationships of the relevant concepts and the content of the concept at organizational level today. Findings In the scientific literature, (IC) is mainly viewed as a resource or set of resources an organization uses for creation of competitive advantage and value. Using the information gathered about different views on (IC), this study shows the development of the sources of the organization’s competitiveness: from resource to (IC). Research limitations/implications This study offers the authors’ view on the nature of the concept of (IC) showing (IC) as a business asset. The analysis of the concept is focused at organizational level. Originality/value The study explains the differences between the interrelated concepts: knowledge, competence, performance and (IC). The authors offer an improved definition of (IC) by showing the evolution of its content and offer their own approach to the structure of (IC) that might facilitate tracking this asset in the organization’s accounts and promote effective management of the asset.

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carter Gibson ◽  
Jay H. Hardy III ◽  
M. Ronald Buckley

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize research and theory on the definition, antecedents, outcomes, and mechanisms of networking in organizations. Design/methodology/approach – Descriptions of networking are reviewed and an integrated definition of networking in organizations is presented. Approaches for measuring and studying networking are considered and the similarities and differences of networking with related constructs are discussed. A theoretical model of the antecedents and outcomes of networking is presented with the goal of integrating existing networking research. Mechanisms through which networking leads to individual and organizational outcomes are also considered. Findings – Networking is defined as goal-directed behavior which occurs both inside and outside of an organization, focussed on creating, cultivating, and utilizing interpersonal relationships. The current model proposes that networking is influenced by a variety of individual, job, and organizational level factors and leads to increased visibility and power, job performance, organizational access to strategic information, and career success. Access to information and social capital are proposed as mechanisms that facilitate the effects of networking on outcomes. Originality/value – Networking is held to be of great professional value for ambitious individuals and organizations. However, much of the research on networking has been spread across various disciplines. Consequentially, consensus on many important topics regarding networking remains notably elusive. This paper reviews and integrates existing research on networking in organizations and proposes directions for future study. A comprehensive definition and model of networking is presented and suggestions to researchers are provided.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio Frezatti ◽  
David B. Carter ◽  
Marcelo F.G. Barroso

Purpose – An effective management accounting information system (MAIS), as well as the accounting discourse related to it, can support, facilitate, enable, and constrain diverse business discourses. This paper aims to examine the discursive and organisational effects of an organisation accounting upon absent accounting artefacts, i.e. accounting without accounting. Situated within the discursive literature, this paper examines the construction of competing articulations of the organisation by focusing on what accounting does or does not do within an organisation. In particular, the paper acknowledges the fundamental importance of the accounting discourse in supporting, facilitating, enabling, and constraining competing organisational discourses, as it illustrates how the absence of accounting centralises power within the organisation. Design/methodology/approach – From a rhetorical, discursive perspective, the authors develop an in-depth qualitative case study in a manufacturing organisation where MAIS has been abandoned for approximately two years. Interpretive research approaches, from a post-structural perspective, provided the base for the structure of the research. The authors studied how other organisational discourses (such as entrepreneurship and growth), which are traditionally constructed with reference to accounting and other artefacts, continued to be produced and sustained. The non-use and non-availability of management accounting information created a vacuum that needed to be filled. The lack of discursive counterpoints and counter-evidence provided by MAIS created a vacuum of information, allowing powerful, proxy discourses to prevail in the organisation, increasing risks to business management. Findings – The absence of MAIS to support an accounting discourse requires that contingent discourses “fill in the discursive gap”. Despite appearances, they are no substitute for the accounting discourse. Thus, over time, the entrepreneurial, growth and partners' discourses lose credibility, without the corresponding use of management accounting information and its associated discourse. Originality/value – There are at least two main contributions from the case study and the findings presented in this paper: first, they provide a new perspective for studying MAIS, as a specific organisational discourse among other discourses that shape people relationship within the organisation as an examination of accounting without accounting. Second, this discussion reinforces the relevance of accounting discourse for other organisational discourses, supporting, facilitating, enabling, and constraining them, by demonstrating the effects of its absence.


2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 1261-1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joacim Hansson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to make a contribution to the theoretical understanding of documents and documentary agency in society through examples from a defined institutional and professional setting; and second, to create an understanding for the role of ethical codes in the process of defining and developing modern librarianship. Design/methodology/approach This study analyses the role of documentation carrying content of professional ethics in the formulation of modern librarianship. This is done through a series of example documents of various kinds, such as founding charters, peer handbooks and ethical codes systematically analysed through the use of document theory and theory on institutional change. Findings The findings of this study suggest that documents pronouncing ethical self-regulation within librarianship play a primarily legitimising role in situations where new types of libraries emerge or when libraries adapt to social change. The study proposes legitimacy as a key aspect of documentality, thus supplementing the established understanding of the concept. Originality/value This study is the first to analyse the role of ethical codes in libraries using document theory. It brings new knowledge to the role of ethical self-regulation in librarianship over time and in different institutional contexts. In suggesting a developed definition of documentality, it contributes to the theoretical understanding of the role of documents and documentation in institutions and in society at large.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aino Kianto ◽  
Pia Hurmelinna‐Laukkanen ◽  
Paavo Ritala

PurposeAs service companies are occupying an increasingly significant place as drivers of economic growth, there is a pressing need to understand their peculiarities in order to facilitate their effective management and governance. One important area in which this kind of understanding is lacking is intellectual capital (IC) and knowledge management. Although intellectual capital has become the key value driver for all types of organizations, there is a lack of systematic research on whether there are fundamental differences in the IC of service‐oriented versus product‐oriented companies. In an attempt to bridge this gap the paper aims to examine the main differences in IC stocks, creation, management and protection mechanisms between service‐oriented and product‐oriented companies.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on empirical evidence collected from 418 respondents representing HR and R&D functions in 335 Finnish companies.FindingsThe results demonstrate that service‐oriented companies possess more human capital and renewal capital, and focus more on IC creation than product‐oriented companies. In addition, IC protection is stronger in product‐oriented companies. As companies move towards a service orientation they need to change their approach to IC stocks and management, and in this acknowledging the differences between a service and a product orientation is the first step.Originality/valueThe results presented in this study shed new light on the differences between service‐oriented and product‐oriented companies in terms of the possession, management, creation and protection of intellectual capital.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 116-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Rodwell ◽  
Linden Fairbairn

PurposeMany university libraries are adopting a faculty liaison librarian structure as an integral part of their organization and service delivery model. This paper aims to examine, in a pragmatic way, the variations in the definition of the role of the faculty liaison librarian, the expectations of those librarians, their library managers and their clients and the impact of environmental factors. The faculty liaison librarian role is not entirely new, evolving from the traditional subject librarian and university special/branch library role. However the emerging role is characterized by a more outward‐looking perspective and complexity, emphasizing stronger involvement and partnership with the faculty and direct engagement in the University's teaching and research programs.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a review of the literature and other sources on the rationale and role of library liaison, the current developments, drivers and expectations are discussed.FindingsThe study finds that dynamic external and internal environments of universities are driving the evolution of library liaison, so the role description is still fluid. However, the breadth and weight of expectations is now such that the effectiveness and sustainability of the role has to be addressed.Practical implicationsWhile a dynamic, broader and more intensive role for the faculty liaison librarian is emerging, more thinking is needed about the extent of that role and its sustainability. What, for example, are the priorities for the faculty liaison librarian? What traditional activities can, and may, have to be abandoned? These considerations are necessary not only to guide the librarians, but also to help define the attributes and skills required for the position and to determine the institutional support it requires.Originality/valueThis is a contemporary critique of the well‐established, but diverse library service – the faculty liaison librarian structure.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Soto-Acosta ◽  
Juan-Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro

Purpose The purpose of this special issue is to point out the possibilities of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) for knowledge management (KM) in organizations, offering different perspectives on and approaches for the role of new ICTs for KM, as well as measuring the impact and diffusion of new ICTs for KM within organizations. Design/methodology/approach The selection of the papers included in this special issue is largely based on the work of the conference “7th European Conference on Intellectual Capital - ECIC” (April 2015, Cartagena, Spain), where the special issue editors organized a track on “New ICTs for Knowledge Management in Organizations”. The conference gathered leading scholars in the fields of intellectual capital and KM, dealing with the acquisition, creation and sharing of collective intelligence and how to utilize increased academic knowledge and networking in promoting economic and organizational innovations and changes. Findings The collection of papers covered in this special issue identifies challenging problems on the role of new ICTs for KM and their role in the design and implementation of innovative products, services or processes in organizations. Research limitations/implications The special issue tries to offer some new relevant advances for the academic and practice communities in the growing body of research analyzing new ICTs for KM. However, the theoretical and empirical advances showed represent only a partial view, which corresponds to the impact of new ICTs for KM at the organizational level of analysis. Practical implications The nature of new ICTs, such as social networking tools, wikis, internal blogging and the way they are used, suggest that nowadays they may differ from traditional organizational systems in two critical ways: the voluntary (typically not mandatory) use and their lack of activity or process orientation. Originality/value The special issue explores the phenomena by integrating different perspectives and approaches, including qualitative and quantitative empirical. This integration overcomes some limitations about the understanding of the issues under investigation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yared Mammo Cherinet

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify insightfully future roles and skills required by librarians to meet the ever changing users’ need in the modern library landscape. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative approach. It deployed the Delphi technique and other knowledge elicitation techniques, such as systematic literature review, in-depth key informants interviews, formal and informal discussions, and own experience. Data collection was quitted when it reached to the theoretical saturation. Content analysis was used to analyze the gathered data. Triangulation of methods was also employed to complement one another, and enhance the credibility and validity of the results. Findings The findings of the study revealed that some of the roles and skills required by librarians are evolutionary, while others are revolutionary, but the ultimate future role of librarians is to change knowledge revolution into society (to create informed society) through re-socializing and shaping the young generations. The result also confirmed that a synergy of passion, knowledge, skills and cultural intelligence yield blended librarians that fit the future library landscape. To be a librarian is more than just equipped with knowledge and skills; it requires passion and solid discipline. For librarians, unlearning is equally relevant skills like learning. Originality/value Instead of the usual skills assessment, this study approached it in a new perspective and divulged a synergy of passion, knowledge, skills, cultural intelligence, professionalism, and discipline as essential assets for the twenty-first century librarians.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg G. Wang ◽  
David Lamond ◽  
Yichi Zhang

Purpose – This article aims to highlight the importance of creativity and innovation in Chinese HRM research and practice. The authors first seek to bring some conceptual clarity to the term “innovation”, especially in relation to the notion of creativity. The authors then discuss Chinese HRM research and policies and practices associated with innovation. The authors conclude the article by introducing the forum articles that constitute this issue of the journal. Design/methodology/approach – Literature review and analysis. Findings – The authors discuss the conceptual difference and similarity between innovation and creativity. The literature analysis shows that Chinese HRM research is in a transitioning stage from local private novelty to global novelty, and innovation at individual and organizational level is determined by a sound national innovation system (NIS) that either fosters or hinders the overall ability of innovation in a sub-system. Originality/value – The article differentiates creativity and innovation conceptually and specifies the critical role of NIS in fostering innovation ability at individual and organizational levels.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
Anita Sarkar

Purpose – Describes the role of HR in creating an inclusive workplace. Design/methodology/approach – Explains how organizations can build an inclusive workplace that addresses the diverse needs of different employee groups. Findings – Shows that affirmative action is an important first step toward managing diversity, but successful management of diversity goes beyond merely complying with the letter of the law. Practical implications – Advances the view that scholarship programs for minority members, diversity scorecards, mentoring programs, language assistance, diversity councils and support from relevant stakeholders can go a long way in ensuring an inclusive work environment. Social implications – Argues that the effective management of diversity is a business and social imperative. Originality/value – Provides insights into how organizations can effectively manage workplace diversity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 921-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inma Rodríguez-Ardura ◽  
Antoni Meseguer-Artola

Purpose Mobile Facebook (m-Facebook) creates many business opportunities for brands and firms while increasingly drawing interest in scientific literature. However, research is scarce on the immersive experiences prompted by m-Facebook, and how these experiences facilitate users’ engagement, their positive attitude towards Facebook and their continued use of it. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper theoretically and empirically analyses m-Facebook users’ immersive experiences, along with their affective and behavioural effects. Findings The results reveal the important role of imagery, presence and flow in the context of m-Facebook; the interplay between these three immersive phenomena; and the influence the user’s optimum stimulation level has on them. Originality/value The investigation offers a foundation for understanding users’ immersive experiences on m-Facebook, and informs practitioners who aim to enhance users’ engagement with, attitude towards, and continued use of m-Facebook content.


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