The influence of intellectual capital on organizational performance—Knowledge management as moderator

Mechanism of knowledge management process towards minimizing manufacturing risk under green technology implementation: an empirical assessment

Given the critical importance of green technology implementation (GTI) is important for production process improvement and an eco-friendly environment. The present study investigates the connection between GTI and the knowledge management (KM) process to minimize manufacturing risk. This research also validates that an assured combination of green implementation and KM can lead to minimizing manufacturing risk. The sample data (153) was taken from those manufacturing companies that utilize green technologies. Smart PLS 3.2.9 analyzes the relationship between certain variables of GTI and the KM process. Furthermore, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is used for a combined configurational approach to examine manufacturing risk minimization. The study's outcome validated that green implementation positively correlated with KM to minimize production risk. fsQCA approach, KM, and green implementation outcome indicated that production risks are minimized. This study contributes to bridging research gaps in the literature and advances understanding of the interrelationship between green implementation and KM processes to minimize manufacturing risk. In addition, research is vital to combine direct and configurational methodologies to highlight two distinct facets of green implementation and the KM process for minimizing manufacturing risk.

Value relevance of voluntary intellectual capital disclosure: a meta-analysis

Because mandatory disclosure of intellectual capital (IC) is restricted by accounting regulations, companies invest in voluntary IC disclosure (ICD) to reduce information asymmetries and support an adequate firm valuation by investors and other stakeholders. So far numerous studies analysing the value relevance of voluntary ICD have been published revealing mixed results. Thus, it is the purpose of this paper to statistically integrate and to explain the heterogeneity of results by applying a meta-analysis with 122 effects of 40 primary studies. Our results mainly support the value relevance of voluntary ICD resulting in higher market value, lower cost of equity, and higher accounting performance. We identify weak moderating effects for legal origin, different IC categories and journal ranking. For further improving of disclosure quality, standard setters should develop disclosure standards for voluntary ICD. To reduce the heterogeneity of future studies a standardised scale for the measurement of voluntary ICD should be developed and applied.

A critical assessment of employer branding to retain knowledgeable workforce: study on current employees of the information technology firms

Purpose

This study aims to explore and validate the antecedents of employer branding (EB) and assess their impact on EB measures taken by Indian information technology firms while promoting themselves as an employer of choice.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the method of content analysis of the EB literature published between 2010 and 2020, a total of 77 research articles that were published in various eminent sources, including papers 11 papers from Elsevier, 28 from Emerald, 12 from Taylor and Francis, 8 each from Wiley and Sage and finally 10 from Springer, were chosen for the final analysis. The results were confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The analysis revealed the significant themes of the content: the primary antecedents of the EB, i.e. compensation and benefits, career opportunities, work–life balance, work environment and corporate social responsibility. The findings proposed that the employees working in the IT firms are more concerned about the compensation package, work–life balance and work environment. The study also suggested that employees love to work for organizations that benefit society and the environment.

Originality/value

The study emphasized the identification of the antecedents which are vital in impacting the organization’s EB strategy. The study suggested that corporate social responsibility, compensation and benefits and work–life balance are a few of the important antecedents that play a crucial role in engaging and retaining the existing talented employees in IT firms. Through the EB strategy, the firms can differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Analysis of Maximization Strategy Intangible Assets through the Speed of Innovation on Knowledge-Driven Business Performance Improvement

This study aims to determine the effect of human capital, structural capital, and consumer capital on financial performance and moderate the speed of innovation. The type of research used in the study is quantitative—data collection techniques in distributing questionnaires measured using a Likert scale. The sampling technique used was random sampling and was determined by the slovin formula. The population in this study was MSMEs in Buleleng Regency, and the samples used in this study amounted to 392 MSMEs. Data or statistical analysis techniques in the study were considered using the Structural Equation Model with WarpPLS 5.0 software modelling. The results show that the technology and commitment variables have no significant effect on the development of religious ecotourism villages. In contrast, cultural changes significantly impact the development of religious ecotourism villages. This study uses the speed of innovation as a moderating variable, the speed of innovation is one of the essential things for MSMEs to improve financial performance. The speed of innovation supports intellectual capital, which is currently focused on knowledge-driven business to create a competitive advantage.

Do entrepreneurial orientation and intellectual capital influence SMEs' growth? Evidence from Pakistan

This research analyzes the impacts of intellectual capital (IC) and the balancing power of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on innovation growth (IG) in Pakistan's SME sector. A quantitative approach on smart PLS has been applied through the SEM model, backed by a survey to gather primary data from 256 participants of Pakistan's SME sector. A significant effect of human capital on Pakistani firms' IG was identified. In contrast, the effect of structural capital was determined to be insignificant over the IG of Pakistani firms. On the other hand, the customer capital's effect was also significant over Pakistani firms' innovation growth. Little moderation of EO between human capital and IG has been determined. The moderations of "EO between human capital and innovation growth" and "EO between structural capital and innovation growth" were insignificant. However, the moderation of EO between customer capital and IG was significant. The scope of this study is limited to firms in Pakistan and can be extended to firms in other regions, which can provide broad findings.

Relational capital, service quality and organizational performance in the Egyptian telecommunication sector

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the mediating effect of service quality (SQ) in the relationship between relational capital (RC) and organizational performance (OP) within the Egyptian mobile telecommunication setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A valid research instrument was utilized to conduct a survey of 384 top- middle- and supervisory- level managers from three Egyptian mobile telecommunications companies. The hypothesized direct relationships were tested through multiple linear regression, and the mediating effect was tested using a structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The results revealed that the firm's “customer and supplier relations” and “marketing capability” positively affect both OP and SQ, “customer knowledge” positively affects SQ only, while “strategic alliances, licensing and agreements” do not have an association with SQ or OP. Moreover, SQ was found fully mediating the effect of RC on OP.

Research limitations/implications

This is an empirical research applied in the Egyptian telecommunication setting. Its results need further investigation in other settings and countries. Also, traditional limitations of a cross-sectional study apply with respect to the attribution of causality and the time lag effects.

Practical implications

The optimal procedure for the Egyptian telecommunications companies is to focus their efforts on leveraging all four components of RC in order to improve SQ and consequently enhance their OP. The telecommunications companies must do all they can to connect the unconnected. As the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis has shown, connectivity is a public good.

Originality/value

This is the first research that merges the concepts of RC, SQ and OP in an integrated model, and tests this model empirically in the Egyptian mobile telecommunications setting.

Symmetric and asymmetric modeling of knowledge management enablers to knowledge management processes and knowledge worker productivity in higher education institutes

Purpose

This research examines how knowledge management (KM) enablers, i.e. trust, knowledge-oriented leadership, environmental uncertainty and KM processes will impact knowledge worker productivity (KWP). Various formations of the KM enablers and KM processes are also examined within terms of their abilities to enhance KWP.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample is taken from 248 faculty and administrators of Pakistan Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). The relationships are tested via SmartPLS and fsQCA 3.0.

Findings

The results show that there are significant impacts of the KM enablers on KM processes and KWP. Constructed upon fuzzy qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), the outcomes exposed various combinations, which can be identified to enhance KWP.

Originality/value

The research supports to methodology by merging two methods to advance the understanding of institutional concerns about workers' productivity. The asymmetric method assists to distinguish the connections that might not be directly clear via traditional symmetric approaches. By uncovering asymmetric relationships, the study identifies a variety of approaches that can be used by HEIs to improve their KWP.

Social Facilitators of Specialist Knowledge Dispersion in the Digital Era

The digital revolution has triggered disproportions resulting from unequal access to knowledge and various related skills, because the constituting new civilization is based on specific, high-context, and personalized professional knowledge. In response to these dependencies, and in line with the sustainability paradigm, the issue of diffusion of knowledge, especially of the professional type, is of particular importance in eliminating the increasing digital inequalities. Therefore, the main challenge is to stimulate the free dispersion of intellectual workers’ knowledge. Their openness and commitment, devoid of opportunistic and knowledge-flow restraining attitudes, are prerequisites for the development of a sustainable society (synonymous with Civilization 5.0 or Humanity 5.0). The article endeavors to verify trust as the leading factor of effective specialist knowledge exchange. Its purpose is to analyze and diagnose the components, enablers, and types of trust that affect the diffusion of specific forms of professional knowledge in different groups of organizational stakeholders treated as knowledge agents. Systematic scientific literature analysis, expert evaluation, and structured questionnaires were used to develop and verify the hypotheses. Direct semistructured individual interviews, focus-group online interviews, computer-assisted telephone interviews, and computer-assisted web interviews were also applied in the paper. The research results confirmed the assumption that reliability-based trust, built on competence-based trust and reinforced by benevolence-based trust, is the foundation of the exchange of professional knowledge. It also supported the hypotheses that this process depends on the group of knowledge agents, the dominant form of trust, as well as its enhancers and types of exchanged knowledge. Conducted explorations constitute a theoretical and practical contribution to the subject of professional knowledge exchange. They fill the research gap regarding vehicles of trust as a factor of specialist knowledge diffusion and provide general, practical guidelines in terms of shaping individual components of competence-, benevolence-, and reliability-based trust due to the type of transferred knowledge and the group of knowledge agents involved in its circulation.

Catalyzing knowledge management processes towards knowledge worker satisfaction: fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Purpose

Constructed upon the knowledge-based view, the purpose of this study is to investigate the interrelationship between internal marketing, knowledge management processes and knowledge worker satisfaction. The study also postulates that specific combinations of internal marketing dimensions and knowledge management processes can lead to improved knowledge worker satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample is gathered from 248 personnel of Pakistan higher education institutions (HEI’s). The interrelationships are checked through Smart PLS 3.2.8. The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is used to examine configurational paths for improving knowledge worker satisfaction.

Findings

The results of the study show that in HEI’s, internal marketing has a substantial influence on knowledge management processes, and knowledge management processes strongly enhance knowledge worker satisfaction. The result from fsQCA reveals multiple configurational paths to improve knowledge worker satisfaction.

Originality/value

There is a scarcity of research that has explored the association of internal marketing, knowledge management processes and knowledge worker satisfaction. This study attempts to examine their inter-relationships in HEI’s. Methodologically, the study contributes by combining direct and configurational methods to foster the knowledge of organizational (higher education) matters. The use of fsQCA reveals multiple pathways to improve knowledge worker satisfaction and exposes asymmetric relationships between internal marketing and knowledge management processes that lead to knowledge worker satisfaction. The study identifies the interactions among variables that might not be directly obvious via conventional symmetric methods.

Intellectual capital and service quality within the mobile telecommunications sector of Egypt

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the relationship between intellectual capital (IC) (i.e. human capital, structural capital, relational capital) and service quality (SQ) within the Egyptian mobile telecommunications setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A valid research instrument was utilized to conduct a survey of 384 top- middle- and supervisory level managers from three Egyptian mobile telecommunications companies.

Findings

Hypotheses related to the relationship of human, structural and relational capital and their influence on SQ were tested. Results show that Egyptian mobile telecommunications companies have mostly emphasized the use of structural capital to boost their SQ.

Research limitations/implications

This is an empirical research applied in the Egyptian telecommunications setting. Its relationships need further investigation in other settings and countries. Also, the traditional limitations of a cross-sectional study apply with respect to the attribution of causality and the time lag effects.

Practical implications

The optimal procedure for the Egyptian mobile telecommunications companies is to focus their efforts on managing all three components of IC in order to improve their SQ and performance.

Originality/value

This is one of the very few researches to study the relationship between intellectual capital and service quality and the first to investigate these relationships in the Arab Region within the mobile telecommunications setting.

INTANGIBLE RESOURCES AND INSTITUTION PERFORMANCE: THE CONCERN OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE, JOB SATISFACTION, AND ITS IMPACT ON ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE

Purpose: The aim of this research paper is to examine the relationships between intangible assets, employee’s performance, and job satisfaction (JS) with structural model. The research explores both the practical and theoretical basis of these paradigms on organisation performance. This research also aims to identify whether a relation can be established between these aspects in the context of non-profit organisation performance in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach: Reviewing the literature explores a theoretical existence of related context preceding the organisational performance. The authors used structural equation modelling to check the research prototype with a sample of 121 respondents. The respondents were heads of departments and general employees. In addition, SPSS was used to measure demographic, non-response bias, and generate descriptive statistics. Findings: Overall, the results demonstrate that organisation with a higher level of intellectual capital (IC), employee performance (EP), and job performance (JP) are important predictors of organisational performance in this sample. Similarly, JS and IC predicted EP. It is acknowledged that emotional intelligence such as satisfaction and dissatisfaction are important incentives to necessitate action tendencies. Research limitations/implications: This research is focused on organisations. Further research may extend the focus to different types of organisations and countries. Practical implications: The findings of this study may help institutions and HR departments to initiate new strategies such as integrating the traditional company performance measurement systems based on various indicators of this study. These factors succeed in providing an effective representation of a set of intangible assets that are developed by the company and that contribute to the improvement of company’s performance. Additionally, to maximise IC assets, the company can implement knowledge sharing practices among employees and experts as well. Original value/knowledge contribution: This research is useful for organisations and academics as a reference of the comparative and intersecting explanation of enhancing organisational performance. Moreover, various main concepts/theories are combined, namely, IC, JS, and employee’s performance to solve the obstacles of organisation performance.

Examining the Relevance of Intellectual Capital in Improving the Entrepreneurial Propensity Among Indians

Intellectual capital is considered as knowledge which can transform into value. Recently, it has gained currency in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship. Only a handful of studies have been conducted to examine the role of intellectual capital in explaining the venture creation process. The main aim of this study is to examine the influence of intellectual capital on start-up. A large data set of Adult Population Survey (APS) provided by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) used. The logistic regression technique was used to analyze the effect of intellectual capital on entrepreneurial intention. The finding suggests that policymakers should frame policy and programs focused on developing human capital, structural capital and encourage interaction between existing and potential entrepreneurs so that entrepreneurship can be boosted. This study is also among the few studies measuring the relationship between intellectual capital and entrepreneurial intention. A systematic literature survey shows that only small numbers of researches, based on large data set, have been conducted in developing countries like India.

Roles of dynamic capabilities and knowledge management strategies on organizational performance

The theoretical and practical impact of dynamic capabilities on organizational performance remains elusive. This study investigates the mediating role of a firm’s dynamic capabilities, measured by IT capability and environmental scanning. In addition, by proposing that knowledge management (KM) strategies play a crucial moderating role in the relationships between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), dynamic capabilities, and organizational performance, this study highlights the need for effective KM strategies to maximize organizational performance. A questionnaire was administered to Korean managers who understand and can answer overall characteristics of their organizations. Our study found that dynamic capabilities partially mediated the relationship between EO and organizational performance. In addition, our findings show that the relationship between EO and organizational performance is stronger when firms emphasize personalization KM strategies, while the firms focusing on codification KM strategies demonstrate a stronger relationship between IT capability and organizational performance.

Knowledge management processes, knowledge worker satisfaction, and organizational performance

Purpose

Drawing on the knowledge-based view, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the interrelationship between Knowledge Management (KM) processes, Knowledge Worker Satisfaction (KWS) and Organizational Performance (OP). Additionally, the study further seeks to identify the combinations of KM processes and KWS dimensions that can lead to enhanced OP.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 248 academics and administration employees of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The relationships were tested using SmartPLS 3.2.7. The study also employed fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) for examining configurational paths.

Findings

The results of the study revealed that KM processes significantly affect KWS and KWS enhances OP in HEIs. Based on fsQCA, the results revealed multiple configurational paths to improved OP.

Originality/value

There is significant lack of research that ascertains the inter-relationship between KM processes, KWS, and OP. This is one of the initial studies that examines the relationship of KM processes, KWS, and OP in HEI’s. From a methodological perspective, the study contributes by combining symmetric and asymmetric statistical tools in KM literature. fsQCA helps to understand the interactions that might not be immediately obvious through traditional symmetric methods.

The relationship between investments in lean practices and operational performance

Purpose

Prior 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/approach

The 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.

Findings

The 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 implications

From 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/value

This 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 effects of knowledge creation process on organizational performance using the BSC approach: the mediating role of intellectual capital

Purpose

Knowledge is a key success factor in achieving competitive advantage in the current fast-paced and uncertain economic environment. Several studies in the literature have analyzed the relationship between knowledge creation (KC) and organizational success; however, the mechanisms by which KC leads to accumulation of intellectual capital (IC) and thereby affects various dimensions of organizational performance are understudied. The purpose of this paper is to examine how KC and IC and their relationship influence key dimensions of organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was developed and tested based on the literature in the areas of KC, IC and organizational performance. This study uses a survey sent to companies in an intensive knowledge-based industry. The balanced scorecard (BSC) approach was used to measure the key dimensions of organizational performance.

Findings

The results from structural equation modeling (SEM) on 470 completed questionnaires received from the pharmaceutical companies in Iran reveal that KC activities lead to the accumulation of organizational IC and IC has a crucial and positive impact on the BSC. Furthermore, the results from the path analysis indicate that IC mediates the effects of KC on the BSC.

Practical implications

The findings of this study contribute to the extant literature on the relationship between knowledge and organizational performance by demonstrating that knowledge and KC lead to performance when organizations utilize KC activities and leverage them to accumulate IC. Once used effectively, IC will result in a better performance in the knowledge-intensive environments.

Originality/value

This is the first study that investigates how KC contributes to firm performance by incorporating the mediating impact of IC on the BSC. The proposed model and results will help organizations to identify the mechanisms through which KC initiatives improve organizational performance.

How strategic knowledge management drives intellectual capital to superior innovation and market performance

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the moderation effect of strategic knowledge management (SKM) on the relationship between three components of intellectual capital (IC) and firm innovation and market performance. The authors argue that specific combinations of IC components and SKM activities can lead to higher innovation and market performance. It is also trying to assist companies to capitalize on both their IC and SKM.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data have been collected from 101 Serbian companies, and these have been analyzed by using structural equation modelling (SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) techniques.

Findings

The SEM results show that structural capital and relational capital have a direct effect on innovation performance. Although, there is no significant direct effect of human capital on innovation performance, the relationship becomes significant when moderated by SKM. The effects of human and structural capital on innovation performance are negatively moderated by SKM activities, while SKM positively moderates the effect of relational capital on innovation performance, but remained insignificant. Moreover, the insights from fsQCA show a clear pattern of equifinality, in that there are multiple combinations of static and dynamic conditions that can lead to higher innovation and market performance.

Originality/value

Two separate research fields of “static” IC and “dynamic” knowledge management have been combined in one integrated framework. From a methodological perspective, symmetric and asymmetric statistical tools have been combined to better understand contingency and interactions. This approach contributes to the literature and potentially offers a better understanding of how static intangible assets should be enabled by dynamic knowledge-based managerial activities to achieve high performance. The paper demonstrates that SKM capability matters with only a specific constellation of IC resources and therefore suggests a novel explanation for performance variances.

Harnessing network-based intellectual capital in online academic networks. From the organizational policies and practices towards competitiveness

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the standpoints and practices of university members from European developing countries regarding the harnessing of the intellectual capital (IC) within online academic social networks.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey with 210 university members was conducted, with the indicators adopting prior measurement scales which were further adapted to a network framework.

Findings

The organizational policies and practices relate positively and highly significantly with the valuation of the network-based IC components. Moreover, 63 per cent of the professional and organizational competitiveness of higher education institutions is determined by the exploitation of the IC embedded in online academic networks.

Research limitations/implications

All survey respondents were from the European developing countries, which may limit the general applicability of the findings. Also, the emphasis is laid solely on online academic networks.

Practical implications

This paper brings to the fore both the potential and the state-of-the-art in leveraging the IC of online specialized networks which are indicative of the academic field. When acknowledged as such, the network-based IC is liable to generate substantial competitive advantages at the professional and organizational levels at the same time.

Originality/value

This research adds to the extant literature in two main ways. First, it advances a new construct – network-based IC – in the context of the online academic social networks. Second, it proposes a research model for addressing the network-based IC from a competitive advantage perspective.

Linkage between knowledge management and manufacturing performance: a structural equation modeling approach

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of knowledge management (KM) on manufacturing performance and the relationships among three KM measures, namely, knowledge resources, KM processes and KM factors. It also determined a collective set of KM metrics based on these three measures.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using questionnaires posted to 700 manufacturing companies in Malaysia from which 206 usable responses were obtained. The analysis and hypotheses testing were implemented using structural equation modeling.

Findings

– The results showed that the constructs of knowledge resources, KM processes and KM factors have significant and direct effects on manufacturing performance. In terms of covariance, the results also indicated that these three constructs were correlated with each other.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample over-represented large firms and the study was a cross-sectional approach that collected data at a single point in time.

Practical implications

– The results obtained would help managers to better understand the linkage between KM and manufacturing performance. They could use the results to manipulate their KM practices to improve their manufacturing performance. The proposed set of KM metrics could also act as a common language and provide directions for future research.

Originality/value

– This paper is one of the first empirical studies that has examined the relationship between KM and manufacturing performance. Furthermore, it has investigated the relationships among knowledge resources, KM processes and KM factors.