Intangibles: A synthesis of current research

Abstract

Intangibles are becoming increasingly important to the scientific community as well as the business world. This is mainly due to a highly competitive business environment combined with exceptionally limited resources and the growing importance of knowledge as a commodity. The fluctuating differences between market and book values of companies indicate the extent of the intangibles' rising importance. By focusing on major publications since 1997, this paper critically analyzes current trends and differing views in this field. The publications are analyzed according to their content and methodologies. Review of the literature clearly shows that most publications in this area still lack a theoretical foundation. A large number of differing terms and definitions are present. Much of the literature analyzed here also fails to provide detailed suggestions for the management of intangibles, be they theory-based or empirically-derived. Discussion of these issues generally remains on a very abstract level. Research on intangibles is characterized by a large variety of views and interpretations -dominant schools of thought have yet to develop. This situation offers much opportunity for further research in this important field of management.

Gestión De Recursos Intangibles en Instituciones De Educación Superior

“…También los términos usados incluyen los siguientes conceptos: intangibles, activos intangibles, capital intangible, recursos intangibles, capital intelectual y propiedad intelectual (Kaufmann & Schneider, 2004).…”

A relação entre o grau de intangibilidade e a geração de valor adicionado em empresas brasileiras de capital aberto

“…A discussão da temática envolvendo os ativos intangíveis, embora não sendo recente, tem despertado interesse crescente da comunidade acadêmica e da área de negócios (KAYO, 2002;KAUFMANN;SCHNEIDER, 2004, PEREZ;FAMÁ, 2006). Nas últimas décadas, pode-se observar uma mudança marcante na ênfase do ativo tangível para o intangível, em que as organizações buscaram novas formas de geração de valor, procurando a melhor interação entre esses tipos de ativos (PEREZ; FAMÁ, 2006).…”

Intangible Assets and Superior and Sustained Performance of Innovative Brazilian Firms

“…They add value to the organization and are part of its base of knowledge and information. Thus, for the purpose of this study, the expressions knowledge management, knowledge assets, intangible assets, intangible capital, intangible resources, intellectual capital, goodwill, occult capital, invisible assets and intellectual property refer to the same type of asset, as shown by similarities between the definitions proposed by different authors (Antunes, 2006;Brooking, 1996;Carvalho & Ensslin, 2006;Edvinsson & Malone, 1998;Kaufmann & Schneider, 2004;Lev, 2001;Petty & Guthrie, 2000;Rezende, 2001;Stewart, 1999;Sveiby, 1997).…”