Improving the intellectual capital management approach using the hybrid decision method

Abstract

© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel managerial approach for improving traditional intellectual capital (IC) management, and its other latter improved approaches, by integrating the comprehensive IC model with more reliable decision science methods, including the Delphi technique and the analytic network process. This proposed integration endeavors to resolve the issues of IC management related to intuitive decisions by executives and the lack of information regarding the relationships among the considered elements. Design/methodology/approach: The proposed method was applied to a real case study of a logistics organization. This application is expected to increase the IC study in this field since logistics is identified as an underdeveloped business in the field of IC management. In this study, the proposed method was used to identify the priorities of IC management of the firm. Findings: The obtained results showed that the method provides a new managerial approach to IC management by conveying the important weights and priorities of the major and minor IC elements of a logistics business. The obtained outcome also confirmed the results of past studies. Originality/value: This study provides a systematic and scientific decision framework that improves previous IC management approaches. This proposed method conveys a new management approach by including proper decision science methods with the comprehensive IC framework. This hybrid concept has not been explored by previous IC management approaches.