Intellectual capital in a recession: evidence from UK SMEs

an article by Lennox Henry, (Southampton Solent University, UK) published in Journal of Intellectual Capital Volume 14 Issue 1 (2013)

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this paper is to present the findings of a qualitative investigation of intellectual capital (IC) in the engineering industry in the UK within the context of a recession.
Design/methodology/approach
Due to the fact that IC involves tacit knowledge which can often be “non-verbal” or in some cases “non verbalable”, intuitive and unarticulated (Hedlund), qualitative methodology was chosen as it allows the flexibility to explore the IC in the target population in greater detail and to explore area/ideas of interest that may have developed during the data collecting process. Ten interviews were conducted on companies chosen from the Reed Business database’s classification of precision engineering. Data collection was via a semi-structured interview, the results were coded into Nvivo and analysed.
Findings
It was discovered that there is an interrelatedness of the components of IC, knowledge of IC management as a strategy in the engineering industry is low and the academic discourse on IC is in to transferring into practical implementation.
Practical implications
There is greater need to address the practical implications and barriers to the implementation of IC management strategy within industry.
Originality/value
The author having examined the data collected and the characteristics of the responding company and the dominant element of IC within each have coined the phrases Sector of Innovative Potential (SoIP), Sector of Collaborative Potential (SoCP) and Sector of Operating Efficiency (SoOE).

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How Are We Doing? A Multiple Constituency Approach to Civic Association Effectiveness

an article by Kyu-Nahm Jun (Wayne State University, Detroit, USA) and Ellen Shiau (University of Southern California, Los Angeles) published in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly Volume 41 Number 4 (August 2012)

Abstract

Increased citizen participation in policy processes through voluntary civic associations warrants an analysis of their effectiveness, which this article undertakes using a multiple constituency framework.

We find a gap in the literature on nonprofit effectiveness where theoretical and empirical studies have mainly focused on organizations that directly provide tangible goods and services. We propose a multiple constituency approach to evaluate and understand the implications for assessing the organizational effectiveness of community-based advisory civic associations.

We empirically analyze the evaluation of Los Angeles neighborhood councils by three different constituency groups – citizen participants, street-level bureaucrats, and city council staffs. We find that the effectiveness ratings of the constituency groups are dissimilar on different dimensions of effectiveness. These findings suggest that the multiple constituency framework holds theoretical and practical value for understanding the organizational effectiveness of voluntary associations, where the different goals of various stakeholders lead to different views on effectiveness.

Hazel’s comment:
I pondered for a while about this one but then realised that although the research may have taken place in the USA it could be applicable to anywhere in the world. Citizen organisations are not only about tangible outcomes (e.g. food banks) but are also about increased well-being and social integration.
Careers information is not only about labour markets and occupations, education and training, it is also about lifestyle choices and inclusiveness.

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