The impact of intellectual capital on start-up expectations

Abstract

Purpose According to an emerging research trend, which seeks to apply the concept of intellectual capital (IC) to the field of entrepreneurship, the purpose of this paper is to test whether IC can affect the start-up expectations of aspiring entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach Binary logistic regression models, based on empirical data derived from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor website and referring to Italy over the years 2005-2010, are used to test the influence of IC (comprising human, structural and relational capital) on start-up expectations. Findings Binary logistic regression models reveal robust results. Human, structural and relational capitals affect start-up expectations in Italy. Only in 2010 did structural capital fail to do so. Research limitations/implications This study has three main limitations. The first concerns the need for further research to confirm the influence of IC on start-up expectations. The second concerns in-depth, more exhaustive analyses that cannot be carried out due to the use of second- hand data. The third deals with the reference only to Italy, over a limited time-span (2005-2010). Originality/value To the best knowledge of the author, this is one of the first empirical studies that investigate whether IC can affect start-up expectations. Results revealed by the regression models might steer other scholars’ interest toward this research path (linking IC and entrepreneurship) that has not yet been properly considered.

Role of intellectual capital in augmenting the start-up intentions of Indians—an analysis using GEM data

“…The odds ratio for this variable is 2.059 which means those individuals who possess the skill, knowledge, and expertise are almost two times more likely to start their own business. This finding is also in congruence with previous research examining the influence of knowledge, skill, and expertize on entrepreneurial propensity (Ahmad et al 2014;Fernández et al 2009; Guzmán-Alfonso and Guzmán-Cuevas 2012; Honjo 2015; Liñán et al 2011;Matricano 2016;Nishimura and Tristan 2011;Noguera et al 2013;Pathak and Laplume 2015;Puriwat and Tripopsakul 2015;Tsai et al 2016;Vidal-suñé and López-Panisello 2013;Wennberg et al 2013).…”

“…Nowadays the researchers are keenly interested in forming the promotional policies for entrepreneurship, and they need to know the propensity towards entrepreneurship (Ajzen 1991;Baron 2004;Bird 1988;Krueger et al 2000;Lee and Wong 2004;Matricano 2016;Shaver and Scott 1991). In the light of existing literature, it can be said that the entrepreneurs have a stronger entrepreneurial intention or inclination towards venture creation while the non-entrepreneurs have a weaker inclination or even have no affinity.…”

“…The start-ups can use the acts of recognition, discovery or knowledge creation (Alvarez and Barney 2008;Matricano 2016;Sarasvathy et al 2005). The aspiring entrepreneurs can use the existing entrepreneurial opportunities like technological or social.…”

“…The importance of start-ups has motivated some researchers to examine the role of IC in the success of start-ups (Hayton 2005;Hormiga et al 2011;Link and Ruhm 2009;Martina and Ahsan 2013;Peña 2002). Some researchers have also analyzed the relationship between intellectual capital and venture creation (Arafat and Saleem 2017;Matricano 2016;Ramos-Rodríguez et al 2010;Ramos-rodríguez et al 2012) but the results of these studies cannot be generalized in a developing country like India. In this study, the authors have tried to analyze the relationship of intellectual capital with the entrepreneurial intentions, as the intention is the best predictor of entrepreneurial activity (Krueger et al 2000).…”

Grey vs. Young Entrepreneurs: Are They Really That Different in Terms of Entrepreneurial Intentions? Empirical Evidence from Italy

“…Broadly, IC represents the intangible assets companies leverage for their competitive advantage (Bontis, 1996(Bontis, , 1998(Bontis, , 2001Sveiby, 1997;Petty & Guthrie, 2000;Hormiga, Batista-Canino, & Sánchez-Medina, 2011). Some entrepreneurship scholars referred to IC regarding start-ups (Peña, 2002;Hayton, 2005;Hormiga et al, 2011;Link & Ruhm, 2011;Musteen & Ahsan, 2013) and provided useful implications for investigating entrepreneurial intentions as well (Matricano, 2016).…”