Intellectual Capital and Knowledge as a Competitive Advantage in Industry A Case Study of Algerian S.M.Es (Scimat)

The competitiveness of a cement factory depends on the intellectual capital(IC) resources and knowledge management of all the company, as well as on the ability to use them for competitiveness. But these days the use of the IC and knowledge is not optimal in Algerian enterprises because there is lack of methods and techniques which give managers some kind of advice how to use properly their own IC/knowledge potential-obviously maximizing advantages for this company.It is also the lack of research concerning what each components of both the structure of IC and knowledge influence on gaining competitive advantage and increasing value of the hole company. the intellectual capital created in the company could have higher efficiency if it is possible to identify all its components and to know the measurement methods. Also knowledge if used properly increases the value of the company.The aims of this article is not only to describe all aspects of IC and knowledge management but to present a practical approach to the effective use of both of them as applied in other companies. We also focus on some determinants of IC/knowledge to give some advices, for employers and employees, about the way they could increase the value of the company. A comprehensive model of efficiency of IC use which helps in creating values and building competitive advantage on a large industrial scale. Keywords: Intellectual capital-Knowledge management-efficiency-competitivety-Algerian SMEs. Mots clés: capital intellectual, gestion de connaissance, efficacité, compétitivité PME/PMI ALGERIENNE