Intellectual Capital Revisited: Paradoxes in the Knowledge Intensive Organization

This book brings together some of the founders of the IC movement in Europe to critically review the virtues and shortcomings of intellectual capital as a managerial concept. More questions on the future of IC study are perhaps raised than answered as the contributors attempt to open new avenues of research.

The contributors acknowledge that the concept of managing intellectual capital is paradoxical in many respects. First and foremost, the boundaries of the knowledge intensive organization are fading. Organizations are open, networked and global, and intellectual capital mobile and elusive – so how can something with no boundaries be managed? Furthermore, is it possible that in a knowledge-intensive society, firms that do not focus on their intellectual capital are successful? That is, are there any pre-requisites for intellectual capital to be relevant? The book explores such paradoxes in the knowledge intensive organization, critically discusses the limitations of intellectual capital and revises the agenda for intellectual capital studies in the future.

Drawing on empirical evidence including two EU funded projects involving researchers, practitioners and policy makers from international associations such as the OECD and the EU, this book will prove a thought provoking read for those with an interest in various aspects of management such as: knowledge management, management control, management accounting, strategic management and management of innovation.

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