Intellectual Capital, Technological Innovation and Firm Performance: Evidence from China’s Manufacturing Sector

Jian Xu, Yue Shang, Weizhen Yu and Feng Liu
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Jian Xu: School of Management, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
Yue Shang: Business College, Yantai Nanshan University, Yantai 265713, China
Weizhen Yu: School of Management, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
Feng Liu: Korea University Business School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: Intellectual capital (IC) is considered to be a main driver of organizational success in the knowledge economy. This study examines the impacts of three IC components, including human capital (HC), structural capital (SC), and relational capital (RC), on technological innovation and firm performance. Data are collected from 1112 manufacturing listed companies in China during 2013–17. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the results show that HC and SC exert a positive impact on firm performance while RC has a negative impact; SC has a positive influence on technological innovation while HC has a negative influence; technological innovation can enhance the firm’s performance. In addition, technological innovation partially mediates the relationship between SC and firm performance. This study will bridge the gap in research by investigating the impacts of IC components on technological innovation and firm performance in developing countries.

Keywords: intellectual capital; technological innovation; firm performance; manufacturing listed companies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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