Intellectual Capital Management and University Research Group Performance: Mediating Effects of Machiavellianism and Organisational Narcissism

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to analyse the mediating effects of organisational Machiavellianism and narcissism on the relationship between intellectual capital management (ICM) and university research group performance (URGP). The hypothesis model is tested with a sample of 288 research groups from Colombian public and private universities, since these groups are responsible for producing knowledge in the country. For the data analysis, structural equations by the partial least squares method are used. The study results show that only organisational narcissism has a mediating effect, which is partial. In conclusion, the research group must adopt narcissistic behaviours and practices, which improve the perceptions it has of its members and of its own knowledge and capacities. In this way, the group will achieve greater presence in its knowledge area and academic spaces, which leads to a better exploitation of knowledge assets and to improvements in research group performance (RGP).

Knowledge sharing among academics: why organizational narcissism in higher education matters?

“…Our results contradict previous studies that highlight the negative repercussions of this organizational behaviour on publications . On the contrary, our study corroborates the incipient empirical evidence that recently began to reveal the positive effects of narcissism on the quantity and quality of publications (Oflu et al, 2020;Posada-Arias et al, 2018). This being the case, our work provides a perspective that allows for a broader view when evaluating the actual extent of the impact of organizational narcissism on knowledge sharing among academics, which is not only limited to the publication dimension.…”

“…participation in external academic networks. In contrast, narcissism impacts to a lesser extent on the written contributions that are usually an activity developed in the short and medium term; regarding this result in particular, there are coincidences with previous works (Oflu et al, 2020;Posada-Arias et al, 2018). However, this result can be examined more broadly and in the light of the current demands for academics, from whom good results are expected not only in terms of publications but also in teaching, entrepreneurship or commercialization of research results (Araujo et al, 2020).…”

“…In this context, research shows narcissists have a strong motivation to undertake challenging and bold actions to obtain frequent praise and admiration regardless of the related risks (Buchholz et al, 2018). In addition to this, narcissists seek out opportunities to draw attention and admiration from their surroundings (Campbell et al, 2011), which suggests adopting narcissistic behaviours and practices in knowledge-generating institutions allows members to improve their perceptions regarding their own knowledge and abilities, achieving a greater presence in their knowledge area and academic settings, leading to both a better exploitation of knowledge assets and higher research group performance (Posada-Arias et al, 2018). Therefore, the following hypothesis is proposed: H4.…”

“…On the one hand, it is recognized as a characteristic of university culture fuelling rivalry and student satisfaction (Nixon et al, 2018), but results are contradictory regarding academics, particularly the relationship between organizational narcissism and publications. On the one hand, some authors link this organizational behaviour to research misbehaviour and poor performance in the area , while other studies reveal the positive influence of organizational narcissism on the quantity and quality of publications (Oflu et al, 2020;Posada-Arias et al, 2018).…”

Are Intellectual Assets Management Important for University Performance Achievement??

“…Researchers in various countries have previously carried out research related to the management of knowledge assets in universities. Research from Arias et al (2018), Golafshani & Malayeri (2018), Hashim et al (2015) Shehzad et al (2014 is a study that conducts knowledge asset management of universities outside Indonesia. The results of these studies explain that four models will be used as references, namely, innovation competence, intellectual property, capacity, and linkages with culture.…”