The mediating role of relational capital for the academic performance effect of IC: the influence of digital technologies

Abstract

Purpose Different mechanisms allow intellectual capital (IC) to affect performance. This paper aims to analyze the value of relations for the academic performance effect of IC and explore how the university’s reliance on digital technologies facilitates the contribution of IC to the overall academic performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors develop a model linking elements of IC to academic performance in the form of teaching, research and entrepreneurial activity. The model is centered on relational capital (RC) that is supposed to directly fuel performance and mediate the link between the other two IC dimensions and performance. From a methodological point of view, the authors base the empirical investigation on a sample of Italian public universities and applied structural equation modeling to test the mediation and a group comparison to disentangle the effect of universities’ digitalization. Findings The authors find a significant and positive effect of RC on performance. RC fully mediates the relationship between structural capital and academic performance, whereas it only partially mediates the link between human capital and academic performance. The authors also suggest that digital technologies guide the prominence of the relationship in the university’s ability to fulfill teaching, research and entrepreneurship missions through IC. Originality/value This study offers a representation of how the relational dimension of IC is the mean through which the stock of knowledge inside IC can be translated into entrepreneurial, education and research achievements and how digital technologies are essential for the exploitation of the performance effect of IC in the digital era.

Navigating the interplay between Sustainable Leadership, Relational Capital, and Academic Performance in Higher Education

“…Relational capital served to understand knowledge creation as a social process that required interaction among individuals, especially in educational institutions, such as universities. The variable was crucial for the survival of an organization and for enhancing competitive advantage in building and maintaining bonds within academic community (Arenaa et al, 2021). Interconnection and collaboration throughout the organization were key factors responsible for the sharing of ideas, information, and expertise (Ramadan et al, 2017).…”

“…It consists of internal relationships with lecturers and staff, as well as collaborations built between institutions [Hormiga et al, 2011]. Relational capital is also defined as the relationships with stakeholders that impact the sustainability of the institution, enhancing competitive advantage to build and maintain bonds among academic community (Arenaa et al, 2021), to achieve academic performance (Deweettinck & Ameiijde, 2011). Important indicators of academic performance include teaching, research and publications, branding and promotion, and diversity in research programs (Yadav et al, 2022).…”

Revisiting online academic networks within the COVID-19 pandemic – From the intellectual capital of knowledge networks towards institutional knowledge capitalization

“…Subsequently, it is important to understand how online academic networks contribute to institutional knowledge capitalization in organizations through the intellectual capital perspective of knowledge networks. Networks have considerable input in creative knowledge transfer because knowledge intermediaries count on their networks to choose collaborators who prove valuable and helpful in achieving up-todate knowledge (Arena et al, 2022;Kidwell, 2013). Particularly, online academic networks stand out as knowledge intermediaries and catalyzers of intellectual capital (IC), specifically in their role as facilitators of academic interconnections (Kianto et al, 2013;Kleinbaum, 2012;V at am anescu et al, 2015a, b, 2016.…”

“…Some researchers consider that relational capital during COVID-19 was most affected in universities because the stakeholders had less intention to participate (Vel asquez and Lara, 2021). However, other researchers highlight the positive influence of digital technology on the network effect on relational capital (Arena et al, 2022) as a facilitator of knowledge capitalization. The creation of relational capital by universities will depend largely on students' capacity, supplemented and merged with their competence to develop synergies that increase their capability to give additional value to online academic networks (Cegarra-Navarro et al, 2021).…”

“…Subsequently, it is important to understand how online academic networks contribute to institutional knowledge capitalization in organizations through the intellectual capital perspective of knowledge networks. Networks have considerable input in creative knowledge transfer because knowledge intermediaries count on their networks to choose collaborators who prove valuable and helpful in achieving up-to-date knowledge (Arena et al. , 2022; Kidwell, 2013).…”