Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the measurement and the management of the dynamic aspects of intellectual capital through the use of causal mapping.
Design/methodology/approach – The study details the methods utilized in a single in-depth case study of a network-based business model
Findings – This paper illustrates how causal mapping can be used to understand how intellectual capital really works in the specific business context in which it is deployed. Moreover, exploiting the causal map as a platform for detracting a set of indicators can provide information on the length of the lag and the persistence of the effects of managerial actions. In addition, it can signal when and how to refine and update the causal map. The combination of these factors supports the dynamic measurement and management of intellectual capital.
Research limitations/implications – The paper presented has two main limitations. Firstly, the use of a single case study to provide in-depth and rich data limits the generalizability of the observations. Secondly, the proposed approach has not been implemented in practice. Future research opportunities include interventionist-type case studies that put the causal mapping approach into practice.
Practical implications – The paper highlights the need to build causal maps to enhance the measurement and management of intellectual capital, which is dynamic of nature. As a consequence, this tool can be useful for companies to monitor their intangibles and to better understand the contribution of their intellectual capital to the value creation process.
Originality/value – The paper openly questions the measurement of the fluid and dynamic aspects of intellectual capital. It proposes a tool in order to govern these aspects and it suggests that also the existing intellectual capital measurement systems can improve their usefulness by including these dimensions. So a shift in intellectual capital measurement is prescribed.
Keywords intellectual capital dynamism, measurement, causal maps, network-based businesses
Paper type Case study
Design/methodology/approach – The study details the methods utilized in a single in-depth case study of a network-based business model
Findings – This paper illustrates how causal mapping can be used to understand how intellectual capital really works in the specific business context in which it is deployed. Moreover, exploiting the causal map as a platform for detracting a set of indicators can provide information on the length of the lag and the persistence of the effects of managerial actions. In addition, it can signal when and how to refine and update the causal map. The combination of these factors supports the dynamic measurement and management of intellectual capital.
Research limitations/implications – The paper presented has two main limitations. Firstly, the use of a single case study to provide in-depth and rich data limits the generalizability of the observations. Secondly, the proposed approach has not been implemented in practice. Future research opportunities include interventionist-type case studies that put the causal mapping approach into practice.
Practical implications – The paper highlights the need to build causal maps to enhance the measurement and management of intellectual capital, which is dynamic of nature. As a consequence, this tool can be useful for companies to monitor their intangibles and to better understand the contribution of their intellectual capital to the value creation process.
Originality/value – The paper openly questions the measurement of the fluid and dynamic aspects of intellectual capital. It proposes a tool in order to govern these aspects and it suggests that also the existing intellectual capital measurement systems can improve their usefulness by including these dimensions. So a shift in intellectual capital measurement is prescribed.
Keywords intellectual capital dynamism, measurement, causal maps, network-based businesses
Paper type Case study
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Intellectual Capital |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Pages (from-to) | 522-546 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| ISSN | 1469-1930 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |