National Intellectual Capital: Concept and Measurement

Abstract: Intellectual capital (IC) is a recent area of research that recognizes the importance of intangibles for wealth creation. Currently several IC models have been proposed for a national level. These models are ready to establish how national intellectual capital (NIC) should be optimized and directed to induce economic growth. The main threat from these proposals is whether NIC models are valid to identify economic effects and instrument inter-nation comparative analyses. The potential flaws for their validity are primarily hidden in specifity of emergence and development of NIC approach that has been replicated from micro studies and not conceptualized yet. On the other hand, NIC models are challenged to operationalize the complicated nature of NIC that allows for multi-dimensional interpretation in concepts and measurements. This thesis justifies current NIC models that respond to these conceptual and methodological challenges. The major notion of this justification is that NIC approach may receive solid support from long-established growth theories. The analysis conducted through the chosen validation framework provides insights for future research.