The Relevance of Intellectual Capital in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Abstract

Understanding the environment of small and medium-sized companies is indeed relevant, since they are considered a driver of economic and socio-environmental development, due to their ability to generate jobs. However, considering the strategic importance of small and medium-sized companies for the economy, society and governments, the challenge of understanding the peculiarities of the dimensions of Intellectual Capital in this environment is still something to be explored in depth. Thus, the present study is conducted to empirically examine the dimensions of use and value creation of Intellectual Capital in small and medium-sized companies and, simultaneously, provide a clear vision of the strategic role of Intellectual Capital in the effective management of knowledge assets. Through a quantitative approach, this research made use of an online survey as a method of treating the ambition, and the results show that all dimensions of Intellectual Capital have significant effects on the creation of value in small and medium-sized companies. However, it also reveals that the lack of investment capacity seems to be an obstacle to sustainability. The present study has a number of respondent limitations and future studies may not only be carried out in a larger sample, but also contemplate other aspects.