The rapid and well‐known evolution – considered by many observers to be revolutionary – from industrial society to knowledge society, defined by the importance of knowledge creation processes, is showing the relevance of the social capital of organizations. This study seeks to contribute to the development of this new concept. First, presents the theoretical background of social capital. Second, based on an intellectual capital approach, tests the situation of social capital in some Spanish companies, with a reference to the international landscape. The findings of the research support the convenience of the development of an integral framework for the management of intangibles that create future benefits, considering the relations with several social agents. Concludes by proposing a model of intellectual capital that expressly includes social capital.
Literature has stated contradictory arguments about the importance of tangible and intangible resources. Meanwhile, the knowledge literature insists on the importance of tacit knowledge and a more traditional innovation literature and many practitioners have preferred to be focused on the importance of specific and tangible resources in organisational learning to generate innovative processes. In particular, the second perspective highlights the abundance of technological resources given the growing importance of information technology. Our sample of 575 technological firms operating in Spain shows that both resources are required to successfully implement the capability of organisational learning. Besides showing the positive relationship between this capability and the variables of innovation and performance, our results find that tangible and intangible resources have positive relationships with innovation and performance. In any case, our analysis allows us to discover the particularly strong influence that the variables related to the intangible resource of tacit knowledge exert on the organisational learning, innovation and performance of the sampled firms in comparison with the more moderated impact of the tangible resources related to technological slack.Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Bueno, E., Aragón, J.A., Paz Salmador, M. and García, V.J. (2010) 'Tangible slack versus intangible resources: the influence of technology slack and tacit knowledge on the capability of organisational learning to generate innovation and performance', Int.
Purpose -The aim of the present paper is to shed new light on the interactions among capitals in a model of measurement and management of intellectual capital using the theoretical lens of complexity theory. In particular, attempts to contribute to the exploration of the power of biological metaphors in the study of intellectual capital. Design/methodology/approach -The methodology adopted in the present paper is case study research. Cases are especially suitable to answering "how" and "why" questions and are well-suited to generating and building theory in an area where little data or theory exists. Presents the case study of Caja Madrid, a Spanish savings bank in Spain. Findings -A new framework of analysis is proposed that may help organizations to better picture and understand dynamics of interaction between capitals and elements by defining relationships which explain the creation of wealth through intangibles. Originality/value -Suggests that complexity theory has the potential to shed new light on the study of intellectual capital in organizations.
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