Intellectual capital. Development and validation of a measurement system

If organizations wish to successfully compete they must act as continuously learning organizations, constantly expanding their knowledge capital (Osland, Yaprak, 1995; Senge, 1990). Intellectual capital (IC), defined as the stock of knowledge in the firm (Dierickx, Cool, 1989) and as the intellectual material – knowledge, information, experience – that can be put to use to create wealth (Stewart, 1997), represents a factor of relevant strategic importance. Therefore it is a necessity to evaluate this resource that, however, is difficult to measure in economical-financial terms using standard metrics and accounting systems (Bontis, 1998). Analysis and reporting of intellectual capital through the development of specific nonfinancial tools directed to measure it, are of great importance for companies because: • they allow managers to obtain useful information in the management control field, regarding an intangible strategic resource for the activity and the survival of the company. Therefore it is possible to plan wiser policies and strategic choices, on the basis of that information (Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2003; Darroch et al., 2003; Guthrie, 2001; Van der Meer-Kooistra et al., 2001); • they show the market information about the state and development of the IC, allowing the company to obtain from the market a real valuation of its assets (material and immaterial), which couldn’t be given through the traditional economical-financial reports (Hunter et al., 2005; Marr et al., 2003). By the use of nonfinancial measurement systems the company gets valued at a more accurate level than is possible without the disclosure of the performance of intangible assets. In this context our research places itself with the aim to develop and to implement a system for measuring, evaluating and reporting intellectual capital. Coherently with IC literature (Bontis, 1996; Edvinsson, Malone, 1997; Moon, Kim, 2006; Stewart, 1997) the proposed model identify IC as comprehensive of three dimensions: human capital, structural capital, and relational capital. The three dimensions of IC are divided in sub-factors, already developed in literature, so that the model completely represents the context analyzed. The research hypothesis are the following: Hypothesis 1. Human capital can be measured by using the following constructs: innovation, group cohesiveness, practical application, intrinsic work reflection, organizational commitment. Hypothesis 2. Structural capital can be measured using the following constructs: communication, contribution, and trust. Hypothesis 3. Relational capital can be measured using the following constructs: networking, and employees’ perception of customers and consumers