Harnessing the intellectual capital of an organisation : an exploratory study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although there is a general consensus that the knowledge society and the knowledgeeconomy has arrived, and that knowledge is a key business asset, organisations arestill in the early stages of understanding the implications of knowledge managementand intellectual capital.The rise of the new economy that is principally driven by information and knowledgecan be attributed to the increased prominence of intellectual capital in organisations.Intellectual capital features prominently in recent economic, managerial,technological and sociological developments in a manner previously unknown andunforeseen.The challenge of this research assignment is typified by the problem statement andits objectives, namely: Although much has been written about knowledgemanagement, the learning organisation and intellectual capital, little, if any, has beenwritten about the relationship and correlation between knowledge management andintellectual capital management. The challenge seems to provide integratedguidelines and a practical implementation system as to how organisations can useboth knowledge management and intellectual capital for the formulation of acomprehensive intellectual management approach.In an attempt to develop guidelines and a practical implementation system for acomprehensive intellectual capital management approach, the following wasundertaken with this research assignment:Firstly, the impact of the knowledge economy on organisations is discussed.Secondly, practical guidelines are provided on how to manage knowledge inorganisations.The various types of capitals are, furthermore, analysed and specific guidelinesprovided on how to harness these different capitals in the organisations. The new phenomena of the intellectual capital entrepreneur is also highlighted. Lastly,particular emphasis is provided to the formulation of a comprehensive intellectualcapital management approach. Practical guidelines are also formulated for theimplementation of a comprehensive intellectual capital management system fororganisations.Based on this study, some of the most important conclusions drawn are that:• Successful management of knowledge is the basis for generating intellectualcapital in organisations on any long-term basis.• The linking of knowledge management and intellectual capital activities is aprerequisite for the successful implementation of an intellectual capitalmanagement system in organisations.• A comprehensive intellectual capital management system can only besuccessfully implemented if organisations have structures in place to generateintellectual capital on an ongoing basis.Recommendations for further research include:• The impact of the knowledge economy on South African organisations should bedetermined.• Research should be done as to how organisations can integrate knowledgemanagement and intellectual capital activities.• The current role and impact of the intellectual entrepreneur in South Africanorganisations should be identified.• Guidelines that will enable organisations to measure intellectual capital should bedeveloped.The problem statement, namely, to provide South African organisations with apractical and comprehensive intellectual capital management approach, is addressedin this research. Recommendations to enhance intellectual capital in organisationsare provided and explained.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University