An Exploratory Study Linking Intellectual Capital and Technology Management towards Innovative Performance in KIBS

Elena Dinu, Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu (), Roxana-Maria Stăneiu and Mihaela Rusu
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Elena Dinu: Faculty of Management, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), 30A Expozitiei Blvd., 012104 Bucharest, Romania
Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu: Faculty of Management, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), 30A Expozitiei Blvd., 012104 Bucharest, Romania
Roxana-Maria Stăneiu: Doctoral School in Management, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), 30A Expozitiei Blvd., 012104 Bucharest, Romania
Mihaela Rusu: College of Communication and Public Relations, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), 30A Expozitiei Blvd., 012104 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: This study aims to fill a gap in the sparse literature that empirically investigates the relationships between intellectual capital (IC), technology management, and innovative performance in knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS). Semi-structured interviews with middle and senior managers from KIBS have been conducted with the purpose of exploring the various strategies, policies, and practices in managing the organisational intellectual capital and technology to enhance innovation performance. Several themes related to the development of intellectual capital in KIBS have been analysed (i.e., key dimensions of human, structural, and relational capital). The findings show that all KIBS investigated place importance on either recruiting the most qualified staff or building up their competencies and skills. Moreover, KIBS allot sizable resources for creating an organisational culture that encourages employee empowerment and knowledge sharing. Technology-forward KIBS have strategies for developing dynamic technological capabilities for knowledge management, business process flexibility and efficiency, and sustaining innovation. The unfolded investigation has both theoretical and managerial implications, pointing to the noteworthiness of sustainable and strategic approaches of intellectual capital management on purpose to support innovation.

Keywords: intellectual capital (IC) management; knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS); technology management; innovative performance; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1356-:d:1031755

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