Intellectual capital based performance improvement, study in insurance firms

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 619-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Zakery ◽  
Abbas Afrazeh
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Insurance Sector ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Efficient Performance ◽  
Insurance Firms ◽  
Using Data

Purpose – Intangible resources are the most distinctive firms’ assets in competitive environments especially in service businesses. Insurance firms seeking more efficient performance than competitors should improve their intellectual capital (IC) strategies in both aspects of IC creation and utilization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and improves IC participation in insurance firms’ efficiency. Design/methodology/approach – A two-phase framework: “explaining IC role in efficiency” and “measuring efficiencies of IC creation and application” is developed in order to find IC strategies increasing firms’ efficiency and though competitiveness. Efficiency is measured using data envelopment analysis and the generalized estimating equations is used as the regression method in order to explain efficiency with IC measures. Findings – Empirical results in Iran insurance sector (during a seven-year period for 17 Iranian insurers) show some IC components influence firms’ efficiency and could be intervention points for performance improvement. Then the firms are categorized into four zones in terms of IC efficiency and strategies are recognized for each category. Research limitations/implications – Although the research is initiated by the need to embed intangible resources in performance improvement in insurance sector, the research framework could be strongly applied in other knowledge-based industries. Originality/value – This paper embeds an innovative link between classic efficiency and IC which aligns resource management with competitiveness strategies.

Science parks and intellectual capital

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Romano ◽  
Pierluigi Catalfo ◽  
Melita Nicotra
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Science Parks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Process Representation ◽  
Objective Metrics ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
And Control

Purpose – Dealing with intellectual capital (IC), the purpose of this paper is to provide a strategic tool for management activities in knowledge-based organizations. In particular, in the contribution, an integrated framework for intangibles’ representation, evaluation and control in Science Parks is developed. Design/methodology/approach – Starting from a review of the main instruments for measuring intangible resources in an organization, an integrated model of IC for Science Parks is formulated. Findings – The paper demonstrates that Science Parks are big repositories of knowledge but they are neither familiar with the IC management nor with the use of methodologies functional for the resources representations and for the variations dynamics of their value. Thereby it answers to questions related to the IC process representation, responding to managerial exigencies and to measurability and repeatability as strategic activities for business running. Originality/value – Unlike the great number of studies on IC that formulate objective metrics of the value of firms’ intangible assets, the paper presents a model not to describe but to shape processes in a knowledge-based organization and to achieve and communicate results both for management and for increasing transparency of communication with external stakeholders.

Intellectual capital and firm performance in emerging economies: the case of India

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santi Gopal Maji ◽  
Mitra Goswami
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Traditional Sector ◽  
Steel Sector ◽  
Capital Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of intellectual capital (IC) on Indian traditional sector and compare the relative importance of IC on corporate performance of Indian knowledge-based sector (engineering sector) and traditional sector (steel sector). Design/methodology/approach Secondary data on 100 listed Indian firms, comprising of 44 firms from the engineering sector and 56 from the steel sector, are collected from “Capitaline Plus” Corporate database for a period of 14 years from 1999-2000 to 2012-2013. IC and its components are computed using Pulic’s value-added intellectual coefficient model and firm performance is measured by return on asset. Fixed effect regression model is used to investigate the hypothetical relationship between IC and firm performance. Further, quantile regression is used to check the robustness of the results. Findings The results indicate that IC efficiency and physical capital efficiency are positively and significantly associated with the firm performance for both the sectors. Regarding the components of IC, the coefficient of human capital efficiency is positive and significant, but the present effort fails to disentangle any significant influence of structural capital efficiency on firm performance. However, the results indicate that the influence of IC efficiency on firm performance is significantly greater in case of knowledge-based sector than that of traditional sector. Practical implications The findings of the study are useful for the decision makers, as the results indicate that the IC plays crucial role in value creation not only for knowledge-based firms but also for the firms belonging to the traditional manufacturing sector. Originality/value In the Indian context, this is the first study to examine the relative importance of IC in a knowledge-based sector and a traditional sector using appropriate methodology.

How does intellectual capital efficiency affect firm performance? The moderating role of family management

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Ramírez ◽  
Julio Dieguez-Soto ◽  
Montserrat Manzaneque
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Family Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Structural Capital ◽  
Capital Efficiency ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderating Role

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: to know whether those firms that achieve greater efficiency from their intangible resources (intellectual capital) also obtain greater performance; and to analyze the moderating role of family management on that relationship in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper conducts an empirical study with different econometric models using a panel data sample of 6,132 paired firm-year observations from Spanish manufacturing SMEs in the period 2000–2013.FindingsThe findings suggest that intellectual capital efficiency is a key factor that allows the firm to achieve and maintain competitive advantages, obtaining greater performance. Additionally, this research also shows that the moderating role of family management can be a double-edged sword depending on the type of intangible resources.Practical implicationsThis paper may give managers an insight in how to better utilize and manage intangible resources available in their firms to improve competitive advantage and ultimately firm performance. Additionally, on the basis of the Socioemotional Wealth perspective (SEW), this article argues that family-managed firms that focus on SEW preservation can enhance the impact of structural capital efficiency on performance.Originality/valueThis paper extends the prior literature by studying the joint effects of intellectual capital efficiency, distinguishing between human capital and structural capital efficiency, and family management on performance in the context of SMEs.

Smart city intellectual capital: an emerging view of territorial systems innovation management

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 860-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata P. Dameri ◽  
Francesca Ricciardi
Keyword(s):  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Practices ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Territorial Systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how the intellectual capital (IC) approach and concepts could be fruitfully adapted to study the smart city phenomenon from a managerial point of view. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a long-term, in-depth ethnographic exploration of the vast global community, which is created around the smart city movement. Findings – The analysis suggests that, in order to effectively analyse a smart city context through the IC lens, the traditional IC framework needs to be extended for: expected outcomes, which should also include sustainability, resilience and quality of life; categories of key resources, which should also include institutional capital and environmental capital; units of analysis, which should also include territorial systems, such as transportation or waste; and key managerial challenges implied. As a final result, a smart city intellectual capital (SC-IC) framework is proposed. Research limitations/implications – Most of the cases analysed in this study are European; further studies are advisable to better investigate non-European smart city contexts. Practical implications – The paper suggests that the knowledge management, project portfolio management and network management approaches are crucial to better support managerial practices in smart city organizations. Originality/value – The SC-IC framework allows for a clear definition of the smart city organization, as a new knowledge-based, project-oriented, network-shaped type of organization. Therefore, the SC-IC framework provides smart city research with a consistent rooting in management studies. Further, this paper contributes to the fourth stage of IC research.

Effects of intellectual capital on innovative performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqian Han ◽  
Dayuan Li
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Performance ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the relationship between intellectual capital and innovative performance, and to specify the boundary conditions and mechanisms of the relationship from a knowledge-based dynamic capability perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This study empirically analyzes the impact of intellectual capital on innovative performance and the role knowledge-based dynamic capability plays with a sample of 217 firms in China. To test the research hypotheses, regression analysis is applied. Findings – The results show that intellectual capital positively affects innovative performance, and knowledge-based dynamic capability is a mediator rather than a moderator which partly mediates the relationship between intellectual capital and innovative performance. Practical implications – The findings suggest that realizing superior innovative performance is dependent on a firm’s intellectual capital and its ability to sense opportunities and threats, to make timely and correct decisions, and to facilitate necessary changes efficiently. Originality/value – This study is the first to clarify whether knowledge-based dynamic capability plays a moderating role or a mediating role between intellectual capital and innovative performance. The present study thus helps move forward the understanding on the conditions and mechanisms of the effects of intellectual capital.

Concentration and financial stability in the property-liability insurance sector: global evidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammed Altuntas ◽  
Jannes Rauch
Keyword(s):  
Financial Stability ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Database ◽  
Insurance Sector ◽  
Insurance Firms ◽  
The Stability

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effect of concentration in the insurance sector on insurer stability for a large set of developed and developing countries. In particular, the authors test whether concentration reduces financial fragility in the insurance sector (“concentration-stability view”) or decreases stability in the insurance sector (“concentration-fragility view”). Design/methodology/approach The authors use a data set of 14,402 firm-year observations of property-liability insurers who appear in A.M. Best’s Statement File Global database during the period 2004-2012. They use regression analyses to examine the effect of concentration on the stability of insurance firms and apply different measures of concentration. Findings The results provide empirical support for the “concentration- fragility view”; that is, higher levels of concentration are associated with decreases in the insurance sector’s financial stability. Research limitations/implications The results have important policy implications, given that a primary purpose of insurance regulation is to protect policyholders against insurance firm defaults. Originality/value No previous research analyzes how recent trends in competition and consolidation, which have led to changes in insurance market concentration, affect the stability of insurance firms around the world. This research is the first paper that provides evidence on the relation between concentration and stability in the insurance sector.

scholarly journals The relationship between investments in lean practices and operational performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Onofrei ◽  
Jasna Prester ◽  
Brian Fynes ◽  
Paul Humphreys ◽  
Frank Wiengarten
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Synergetic Effects ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Lean Practices

PurposePrior research has shown that operational intellectual capital (OIC) and investments in lean practices (ILP) lead to better operational performance. However, there have been no empirical studies on the synergetic effects between OIC components and ILP. More specifically, the question – can the efficacy of ILP be increased through OIC? – has not been studied. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to report the empirical results of potential synergetic effects between OIC, as a knowledge-based resource, and ILP.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data used for this study were drawn from the fifth round of the Global Manufacturing Research Group survey project (with data collected from 528 manufacturing plants). The hypotheses are empirically tested using three ordinary least square (OLS) models.FindingsThe authors’ findings highlight the importance of leveraging a system of complementary knowledge-based resources (OIC dimensions) and addresses the need for the reformulation of lean theory in terms of the emergent knowledge-based view of the firm. The results facilitate greater understanding of the complex relationship between ILP and operational performance. Building on the contribution of Menoret al.(2007), the authors argue that OIC represents a strategic knowledge-based resource that is valuable, hard to imitate or substitute and, when leveraged effectively, generates superior operational and competitive advantage.Practical implicationsFrom a managerial standpoint, this study provides guidelines for managers on how to leverage OIC to enhance the efficacy of ILP. The authors argue that firms consider investing in OIC to increase the return from ILP, which, in turn, will enhance their operational performance and provide competitive advantage. The authors findings provide strong evidence of the importance of human, social and structural capital to enhance the efficacy of ILP.Originality/valueThis is the first research paper that extends the application of the intellectual capital theory in lean literature, and argues that the OIC contributes to the efficacy of ILP. The analysis facilitates greater understanding of the complex relationship between OIC dimensions, ILP and operational performance.

The Integrated Plan in Italian public universities: new patterns in intellectual capital disclosure

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-679
Author(s):  
Natalia Aversano ◽  
Giuseppe Nicolò ◽  
Giuseppe Sannino ◽  
Paolo Tartaglia Polcini
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
International Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Quantitative Form ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Medium Level

Purpose The present research aims to analyse the extent to which Italian public universities disclose intellectual capital (IC) information through the Integrated Plan and the main features of IC disclosure (ICD) in terms of form and location in the document. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a qualitative methodology, a content analysis is conducted to examine the level, form and location of ICD provided by a sample of 60 Italian public universities through the 2018-2020 integrated plans. Findings The results show a medium level of ICD in the Integrated Plan, with human capital being the category most disclosed. Information is principally provided in a quantitative form and is mainly found in the first two sections of the document (i.e. relating to the strategic framework and organisational performance). Research limitations/implications The analysis is necessarily limited to a single period (2018-2020), because of the recent introduction of the guidelines of the Integrated Plan. However, the results may be beneficial to policymakers in determining the usefulness of this new tool in detecting information about intangible resources and can help universities’ governors and managers in defining adequate IC strategies to create value for the whole ecosystem. Originality/value The study makes an innovative contribution to the international debate about IC in universities in light of the fourth stage of IC research, exploring an emerging tool to detect whether it is able to convey IC information to the wide range of university stakeholders and to communicate the value universities contribute to society.

Determinants of retail store network expansion via shop-in-shops

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 915-943
Author(s):  
Karine Picot-Coupey ◽  
Jean-Laurent Viviani ◽  
Paul Amadieu
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Expansion Strategy ◽  
Network Expansion ◽  
Intangible Resources ◽  
Retail Company ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeWhy do some retail networks operate shop-in-shops along with stand-alone units while others do not? Drawing on a resource-based and intellectual capital (IC) perspective as a broad theoretical lens, the purpose of this paper is to focus on retailer-run shop-in-shops and examine the determinants of their adoption.Design/methodology/approachTo gain a comprehensive understanding of shop-in-shop adoption by retail branded networks, a research design mixing a quantitative study (n= 170) and a qualitative study (n= 19) was adopted to test nine hypotheses regarding these determinants of the adoption of retailer-run shop-in-shops and explore in greater depth the processes whereby they actually occur.FindingsThe main findings show that intangible resources are major determinants of the choice to operate shop-in-shops while tangible resources are minor determinants. The more robust results of the analysis lie in the positive effect of own-label merchandise range, premium pricing strategy, positioning based on symbols, retail concept fast renewal and high sector specialisation on the choice to operate a shop-in-shop. The effect of financial constraints on the decision to expand via shop-in-shops is limited.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors emphasise the importance of marketing-related and company-related characteristics in differentiating the likelihood of retail networks to expand via shop-in-shops. These results lend support to the relevance of a resource-based and IC perspective in explaining the propensity of retailers to develop via shop-in-shops.Practical implicationsThe decision to operate shop-in-shops should depend on the extent to which intangible resources – the most important being retail positioning grounded in symbols, an own-label merchandise range, and a high retail branded network reputation – can be valued and enhanced. Expanding a retail network via shop-in-shops does not appear to be a financially constrained expansion strategy: it must be considered as a relevant first best strategy when an independent and young retail company has intangible resources to value but limited tangible resources.Originality/valueThe study contributes to channel management and retailing research in four ways. First, it precisely delineates the specific characteristics of shop-in-shops. Second, it provides theoretical explanations – based on a resource and IC perspective – of determinants that influence the choice of shop-in-shops. Third, it empirically tests the influence of marketing-related and company-related characteristics when adopting shop-in-shops. Fourth, it provides insights into how adopting shop-in-shops. To the authors’ knowledge, the research is on the first to analyse theoretically and test the determinants for the choice of retailer-run shop-in-shops.

Towards a better understanding of intellectual capital in Mexican SMEs

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Daou ◽  
Egide Karuranga ◽  
Zhan Su
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
External Capital ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the characteristics of intellectual capital (IC) in Mexican small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Due to the shift from traditional factors of production to knowledge-based economy, an understanding of the role of IC has become crucial for SMEs to develop a competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – This study takes an in depth look at the three components of IC: human, organizational, and external capital. In order to do so, a quantitative study on 445 SMEs was conducted based on data collected through an online survey. A structural equation model is proposed that is a fit with the reality of Mexican SMEs. Regional differences are highlighted by means of multigroup analysis. Findings – The results suggest that the features of human and organizational capital are consistent with previous studies on SMEs in emerging economies. However, external capital shows some distinctive characteristics unique to Mexican context. Practical implications – Implications for managers and policymakers are discussed, whereby an adaptation of programs and policies are required to fit the Mexican context at the national and regional levels. Originality/value – To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study that observes the components of IC in Mexican SMEs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document