Transforming the stakeholders’ Big Data for intellectual capital management

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to define a conceptual framework for transforming Big Data into organizational value by focussing on the perspectives of service science and activity theory. In coherence with the agenda on evolutionary research on intellectual capital (IC), the study also provides momentum for researchers and scholars to explore emerging trends and implications of Big Data for IC management. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a qualitative and integrated research method based on a constructive review of existing literature related to IC management, Big Data, service science and activity theory to identify features and processes of a conceptual framework emerging at the intersection of previously identified research topics. Findings The proposed framework harnesses the power of Big Data, collectively created by the engagement of multiple stakeholders based on the concepts of service ecosystems, by using activity theory. The transformation of Big Data for IC management addresses the process of value creation based on a set of critical dimensions useful to identify goals, main actors and stakeholders, processes and motivations. Research limitations/implications The paper indicates how organizational values can be created from Big Data through the co-creation of value in service ecosystems. Activity theory is used as theoretical lens to support IC ecosystem development. This research is exploratory; the framework offers opportunities for refinement and can be used to spearhead directions for future research. Practical implications The paper proposes a framework for transforming Big Data into organizational values for IC management in the context of entrepreneurial universities as pivotal contexts of observation that can be replicated in different fields. The framework provides guidelines that can be used to help organizations intending to embark on the emerging paradigm of Big Data for IC management for their competitive advantages. Originality/value The paper’s originality is in bringing together research from Big Data, value co-creation from service ecosystems and activity theory to address the complex issues involved in IC management. A further element of originality offered involves integrating such multidisciplinary perspectives as a lens for shaping the complex process of value creation from Big Data in relationship to IC management. The concept of how IC ecosystems can be designed is also introduced.

Guest editorial

“…While the conceptual model presented in Harlow ( 2018) is a foundational contribution to the research agenda of advancing IC research into its fifth stage (Dumay et al, 2018), more work is needed. Uden and Del Vecchio (2018) call for replication of their investigative framework to transform the Big Data generated by stakeholders into IC through the lens of service science and activity theory on a larger sample of entrepreneurial universities and in different organisational contexts. The opportunities in "Metrics" also centre on replicating and contextualising IC assessment criteria in real contexts.…”

“…"Transforming the stakeholders' Big Data for intellectual capital management", authored by Uden and Del Vecchio (2018), adopts a qualitative, multidisciplinary research method based on IC management, Big Data, service science and activity theory. The paper defines a conceptual framework for transforming Big Data into organisational value, which represents a marked contribution to advancing the fourth-stage IC research agenda.…”

“…In highlighting how IC can be developed as a strategic and sustainable goal for firms, Harlow (2018) connects those goals with IC outcomes. A cross-disciplinary overview of how Big Data contributes to the value creation process ends this section (Uden and Del Vecchio, 2018). This synthesis of IC in a service ecosystem explores how multiple stakeholders engage.…”

“…Specifically, we answer several research topics from the call for papers: re-conceptualise IC from a Big Data perspective (Botes et al , 2018); explore the impact of Big Data in IC reporting and disclosure, (De Santis and Presti, 2018); Ndou et al , 2018); transform the Big Data generated by stakeholders and organisational ecosystems into value (Romanelli, 2018; Uden and Del Vecchio, 2018; La Torre and Dumay 2018); analyse the role of social media for creating IC (Ndou et al , 2018); and propose management processes and practices to foster Big Data acquisition for IC (Harlow, 2018; Paklina et al , 2018, La Torre and Dumay, 2018). …”

“…transform the Big Data generated by stakeholders and organisational ecosystems into value (Romanelli, 2018; Uden and Del Vecchio, 2018; La Torre and Dumay 2018);…”