IC and public sector: a structured literature review

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a structured literature review of the public sector intellectual capital (IC) literature. It is, in part, motivated by a recent review of the IC literature by Guthrie et al. (2012, p. 74), who found that the public sector is one of the least addressed areas of IC research. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a structured literature review of public sector IC articles that is as up to date as possible. The authors use and update the dataset from Guthrie et al. (2012) to include another five plus years of data, including seven articles appearing in this special issue. Findings – The public sector IC has a primary research focus on central government and central government agencies, education (especially universities), Europe (especially Italy and Spain) and empirical research using case studies mainly investigating management control and strategy. It appears public sector IC researchers are firmly entrenched in performative third-stage research, investigating “how” IC works in organisations rather than offering normative solutions. Research limitations/implications – Three areas offered as a way of forwarding public sector IC research. First, there is a need to expand public sector IC research from beyond the confines of education (university) research. There is also an opportunity for a study to synthesise the findings. Second, there is also a need for more longitudinal research in public sector IC because IC is not an event, but a journey. Third, there is an opportunity for researchers to undertake empirical research with organisations to develop and test IC frameworks and models in specific public sector contexts. Practical implications – The authors call for researchers to consider helping public sector practitioners implement IC frameworks and models through interventionist research. In keeping with the performative third-stage IC research agenda, interventionist research makes it possible for academic researchers to act as a catalyst for implementing IC frameworks and models in practice. Originality/value – This paper is a must read for IC researchers wanting to embark on public sector research. The paper outlines how public sector IC research has developed, offers critique and outlines future opportunities for research that has potential impact, rather than concentrating on already well-researched contexts.

Intellectual Capital in Practice in the Public Sector: Developing a Conceptual Framework for the ‘Third Wave’

“…Similarly, Sotirakou and Zeppou (2004) and Abeysekera, Jebeile, and Kamuruddin (2010) also argue that public sector modernisation cannot work without the involvement and commitment of its human capital and thus IC is the most critical and valuable asset in developing new management systems in public sector organisations.To date, IC approach has mostly been applied to business sector (Guthrie, Ricceri, & Dumay, 2012). However, public sector organisations are also under continuous pressures to improve performance, which require more input in the form of human, structural and relational capital thus IC is assumed to play a huge role in the value creation process of this sector as well (Dumay, Guthrie, & Puntillo, 2015;Secundo, Dumay, Schiuma, & Passiante, 2016).…”

“…The IC body of knowledge has evolved over a period of time from debates regarding its introduction, to its measurement, and to its practical implications in the organisations, to developing a broader IC eco-system of communities, regions, cities or organisations (Borin & Donato, 2015;Secundo, Lombardi, & Dumay, 2018). However, research is still needed regarding IC praxis in different contexts (Dumay & Garanina, 2013;Dumay, Guthrie & Puntillo, 2015;.…”

Disclosure Quality Measurement in the Public Sector: A Structured Literature Review

“…IC has attracted increasing attention from scholars and practitioners in the public sector in the last decade . However, it should be critically observed that studies regarding the measurement of disclosure of traditional IC components are still in their embryonic stage, especially with regard to local governments (Dumay, Guthrie, & Puntillo, 2015;Garlatti, Massaro, Dumay, & Zanin, 2014;Massaro et al, 2015). Thus, future research should focus on this under-investigated theme.…”

Knowledge strategies aiming to improve the intellectual capital of universities

“…We perform the critical analysis (Bryman and Bell, 2007;Moore and Parker, 2007) of the literature, focusing on intellectual capital of universities, by identifying the most significant papers published in the main stream journals and international conferences dedicated to intellectual capital and knowledge management by following insights from Dumay et al (2015). We studied these papers and reflected upon the instruments used by researchers to analyse and measure the intellectual capital of universities.…”

“…It is made when considered in combination with altitude and latitude." The longitudinal dimension is also advocated by Chiucchi and Dumay (2015), and Dumay et al (2015), since intellectual capital should not be considered like a picture at a moment, but more like a journey. By introducing the idea of the nonlinear integrators, we answer the need of connectivity and interactions between the components of the intellectual capital (Dumay 2016;Skoog, 2003).…”