Intellectual capital in family firms: human capital identification and measurement

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Claver-Cortés ◽  
Patrocinio Carmen Zaragoza-Sáez ◽  
Hipólito Molina-Manchón ◽  
Mercedes Úbeda-García
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Based on the literature devoted to family firms and the intellectual capital-based view of the firm, the purpose of this paper is not only to identify the most important human capital intangibles owned by family firms but also to show a number of indicators that can help measure them. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case-study-based research approach was adopted taking as reference: 25 family firms belonging to different sectors; previous works existing in the literature; and the intellectus model. Findings – The present study identifies ten intangibles associated with the human capital of family firms and shows 60 indicators that can be used to measure them. It additionally provides empirical evidence and gives examples of these intangibles through the analysis of 25 international family firms. Research limitations/implications – The difficulty in collecting all the human capital intangibles of family firms; the problems associated with the creation of accurate indicators; and those specific to the research methodology adopted. Practical implications – Identifying the human capital intangibles of family firms and their indicators can help managers become aware of their importance, and this will consequently help them improve their management. This could be an interesting starting point to value these intangibles in the balance sheet as well as to draw comparisons between family and non-family organisations. Originality/value – The framework provided by family firms sheds light on several intangibles specific to these firms – precisely for their condition as “family” firms. Those intangibles – human capital intangibles being especially highlighted in this study – provide the basis for the achievement of competitive advantages.

Uncovering hidden Human Capital in uncertain times by exploring strategic resources in Spanish wineries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Antonio Martín-Hidalgo ◽  
Ana Pérez-Luño
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Resource Based View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Strategic Resources ◽  
Reflection Theory ◽  
Access To Data ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the continuous identification of tangible and intangible strategic resources needed to achieve competitive advantages in uncertain times in Spanish wineries, highlighting the critical value of human capital. Design/methodology/approach By means of a case study of a Spanish Sherry winery theoretically based on the Resource Based View (RBV) of the firm, the paper focuses on the influence of environmental uncertainty on firms’ strategic resources and the need for in-depth knowledge. Direct participation and experience in the business has allowed access to data for a longitudinal exploratory analysis. Findings Human Capital, especially managers’ knowledge and experience, has been the key to the survival and success of the company analysed, throughout its history. Practical implications The paper guides managers, especially in microenterprises and SMEs, on the inclusion among the firm's strategic resources of a part of their own Human Capital that is generally not considered. Originality/value This paper contributes to the RBV and Self-Reflection Theory by demonstrating the value of Human Capital in a small family business under extremely uncertain times.

Perceived benefits and costs of intellectual capital in small family firms

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Grimaldi ◽  
Livio Cricelli ◽  
Marco Greco
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Family ◽  
Instrumental Study ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Constructivist Epistemology ◽  
Benefits And Costs ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Despite the flourishing literature on intellectual capital (IC), few studies explored its features in the perspective of family firms, and even fewer focussed on small family firms (SFFs). The purpose of this paper is to analyze how managers and senior employees in SFFs perceive the benefits and costs of intellectual capital assets (ICAs) and provides many insights for future researches. Design/methodology/approach – Taking the lead from the constructivist epistemology, this instrumental study describes the implementation of a framework for the assessment of ICAs into four SFFs in order to develop general theoretical principles. Findings – Among the findings, it stands out that most SFFs in the sample especially rely on their internal processes and on their human resources’ knowledge and competences. Furthermore, the authors found much internal disagreement with respect to the expected costs of investing on ICAs, especially within firms operating in more turbulent markets. Research limitations/implications – Being referred to a multiple case study, the results may not be generalized to other organizations. Nevertheless, they are useful to build theory, either by verification of falsification, and to encourage their future testing in empirical papers. Practical implications – The implementation of the framework allows identifying internal disagreement with respect to the ICAs’ costs and benefits and exploring their causes. Furthermore, it suggests which should be the ICAs deserving primary attention in order to have the best impact on value creation. Originality/value – The paper investigates IC in SFFs, thus contributing to fill a remarkable gap in IC literature.

scholarly journals Enhancing human capital beyond university boundaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-446
Author(s):  
Maria Jakubik
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Master Thesis ◽  
External Stakeholders

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a case about the emergence of human capital (HC) during the master thesis as a work-based learning project. Design/methodology/approach The case study uses data from 107 master’s students 2007–2011 and feedback from 91 managers as business advisors 2007–2016. Findings The findings show direct contributions of higher education (HE) to intellectual capital (IC) in organisations through the enhanced HC of managers. Originality/value The case contributes to the emerging new, fifth stage of IC research by demonstrating how HC develops beyond the boundaries of an educational institution; how it influences an organisation’s IC and how 91 business advisors, as external stakeholders, assessed the achievements and value creation of HE.

scholarly journals Using work-based and work-applied learning to enhance the intellectual capital of organisations

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Garnett ◽  
Selva Abraham ◽  
Param Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Strategic Change ◽  
Executive Education ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Applied Learning ◽  
Learning Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Preparation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show how work-based and work-applied learning (WAL) can enhance the intellectual capital of organisations. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws organisational learning- and work-based learning literature and case study illustrations. Findings To achieve major strategic change in organisations requires working at senior level within the organisation to develop the capability of the organisation to learn and apply that learning strategically. WAL is explicitly geared to bring about change and enhance the learning capability within the organisation. Research limitations/implications There is a need for further longitudinal studies of organisations that have used the work-based and WAL approaches. Practical implications The conclusions reached have implications for higher education and non-award bearing executive education. Social implications The alignment of individual learning with organisational objectives positions learning as a co-operative part of working life rather than just individual preparation for employment. Originality/value The paper positions work-based learning and WAL as appropriate responses to the learning needs of organisations as well as individuals.

scholarly journals Organizational aspects of cybersecurity in German family firms – Do opportunities or risks predominate?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Sven Ulrich ◽  
Alice Timmermann ◽  
Vanessa Frank
Keyword(s):  
Family Firms ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Cyber Risk

PurposeThe starting point for the considerations the authors make in this paper are the special features of family businesses in the area of management discussed in the literature. It has been established here that family businesses sometimes choose different organizational setups than nonfamily businesses. This has not yet been investigated for cybersecurity. In the context of cybersecurity, there has been little theoretical or empirical work addressing the question of whether the qualitative characteristics of family businesses have an impact on the understanding of cybersecurity and the organization of cyber risk defense in the companies. Based on theoretically founded hypotheses, a quantitative empirical study was conducted in German companies.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on a quantitative-empirical survey of 184 companies, the results of which were analyzed using statistical-empirical methods.FindingsThe article asked – based on the subjective perception of cybersecurity and cyber risks – to what extent family businesses are sensitized to the topic and what conclusions they draw from it. An interesting tension emerges: family businesses see their employees more as a security risk, but do less than nonfamily businesses in terms of both training and organizational establishment. Whether this is due to a lack of technical or managerial expertise, or whether family businesses simply think they can prevent cybersecurity with less formal methods such as trust, is open to conjecture, but cannot be demonstrated with the research approach taken here. Qualitative follow-up studies are needed here.Originality/valueThis paper represents the first quantitative survey on cybersecurity with a specific focus on family businesses. It shows tension between awareness, especially of risks emanating from employees, and organizational routines that have not been implemented or established.

Entrepreneurial orientation and the role of the context. The case of the firm “Sa Panada Srl”

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Floris ◽  
Angela Dettori ◽  
Camilla Melis ◽  
Cinzia Dessì
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe paper aims to analyse the case of “Sa Panada srl”, a tiny Sardinian family firm, to provide intriguing insights for the study of entrepreneurial orientation in a context that is anchored in an apparent and hostile past.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory approach is used to analyse a single-case study through a narrative approach. Data were analysed through the hermeneutic trio consisting of three phases: (1) explication – contextualisation, reconstruction and synthesis of the history; (2) explanation – identification, description and understanding of the meaning of the narrative; and (3) exploration – discussion and identification of theoretical and practical implications.FindingsThe study introduces novel best practices that help enhance entrepreneurial orientation in a difficult setting based on change reluctance and past anchored culture.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial orientation, internationalisation and innovativeness of family firms embedded in a hostile context. The main drawback of the study is its explorative analysis of a single case.Practical implicationsFor practitioners, the research proposes the case study as a best practice able to inspire successful resilient behaviour and decisions for other firms that experience daily challenges.Originality/valueThe study elucidates the relevance of individual factors of family owners as endogenous elements that can balance contextual obstacles with ambitions of growth and development.

Secrets of succession: how one family business reached the ninth generation

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 12-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chamsa Fendri ◽  
Pascal Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Family Firms ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Consistent Picture ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the specific structures and routines of family firms and to highlight their strengths and weaknesses using a case study. Design/methodology/approach The case describes a French SME in the construction sector that is undergoing succession from the eighth to the ninth generation. Both generations have offered their viewpoints. The succession context allows us to better distinguish what makes a family firm uniquely resilient and what may easily turn into a weakness. Findings The case indicates that the trust that family owners have cultivated with employees allows the firm to operate less formally and with less rigid procedures. It also encourages employees to take initiatives and contributes to their greater engagement. On the other hand, it may expose the firm to more structured and well-organized competitors. Research limitations/implications The limitations are those relative to the use of a single case. Practical implications Succession is a delicate process that needs to be well prepared and executed without any haste. It involves retaining the firm’s strengths, such as the social capital that the family has patiently amassed. But it also represents an opportunity to review the firm’s practices and to introduce a good dose of innovation. Originality/value The case provides a vivid illustration of what makes family firms so distinctive. Theoretical concepts and empirical findings from the literature are put together in a single consistent picture.

The relationship between intellectual capital and big data: a review

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica De Santis ◽  
Claudia Presti
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Value ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Decision Making Tool

PurposeThis paper aims to give an integrated framework for analysing the main opportunities and threats related to the exploitation of Big Data (BD) technologies within intellectual capital (IC) management.Design/methodology/approachBy means of a structured literature review (SLR) of the extant literature on BD and IC, the study identified distinctive opportunities and challenges of BD technologies and related them to the traditional dimensions of IC.FindingsThe advent of BD has not radically changed the risks and opportunities of IC management already highlighted in previous literature. However, it has significantly amplified their magnitude and the speed with which they manifest themselves. Thus, a revision of the traditional managerial solutions needed to face them is required.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed framework can contribute to academic discourse on BD and IC as a starting point to understanding how BD can be turned into intangible assets from a value creation perspective.Practical implicationsThe framework can also represent a useful decision-making tool for practitioners in identifying and evaluating the main opportunities and threats of an investment in BD technologies for IC management.Originality/valueThe paper responds to the call for more research on the integration of BD discourse in the fourth stage of IC research. It intends to improve this understanding of how BD technologies can be exploited to create value from an IC perspective, focussing not only on the potential of BD for creating value but also on the challenges that it poses to organizations.

Individual intellectual capital versus collective intellectual capital in a meta-organization

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Vale ◽  
Manuel Castelo Branco ◽  
João Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intellectual Assets ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Level Of Analysis ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss and analyse how intellectual capital (IC) is created and deteriorated in a meta-organization by assessing the interdependency between the collective IC of the meta-organization and the individual IC of its members. Design/methodology/approach – A case study conducted in a seaport is adopted to explore how creation or deterioration of IC at one level of analysis affects the IC at the other. Four different illustrations are provided, depicting different instances of articulation between both types of IC. Findings – Evidence suggests that, in a meta-organization, IC appears as a function of both individual and collective IC dimensions. Changes in the meta-organization’s IC or in its members’ IC may have different impacts on each other, generating intellectual assets or intellectual liabilities at both levels. Evidence also suggests that those changes in IC should be analysed in a longitudinal way, since both levels affect each other in different ways over time. Research limitations/implications – Despite the validity of the interpretations provided in the context of the case study, generalization to other situations should be conducted only in a theoretically framed manner. Practical implications – This study provides important strategic and managerial implications for meta-organizations and their members, who are concerned with their performance. Originality/value – Although there have been some efforts to apply the traditional IC methodologies to a bigger scope, such as regions or nations, some meso level empirical contexts are yet far unexplored, such as the case of meta-organizations. Furthermore there is a gap in management sciences’ research on seaports.

What’s “knowledge management” when resources are unknowable and deals negotiated?

IMP Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Waluszewski
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Economic Resources ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Important Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
Use Of Knowledge ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the management of the use of knowledge in interfaces stretching across company and organizational borders, including the negotiated monetary dimension. Design/methodology/approach – The research approach is the IMP framework on resource interaction (Håkansson and Waluszewski, 2002), and the distinction among heterogeneous economic resources and a homogeneous monetary dimension, (Håkansson and Olsen, 2015; Perna et al., 2015). A case study on use of science based knowledge in business is utilized. Findings – The management regime behind the creation of a user setting including a substantial monetary flow is can be characterized as “managing collective entities” (Håkansson, Bakken, Olsen, 2013) and it is argued that the knowledge management regime assumes away the most important process related to use of knowledge. Research limitations/implications – The paper stress the theoretical need for approaching managment in general and managing use of knowledge in particular as an interactive issue. Practical implications – The paper stress the practical need for approaching managment in general and managing use of knowledge in particular as an interactive issue. Originality/value – The paper questions the knowledge management regime, which has a strong influence on public policy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document