The impact of intellectual capital on SMEs’ performance in China: Empirical evidence from non-high-tech vs. high-tech SMEs
Journal of Intellectual Capital
ISSN: 1469-1930
Article publication date: 8 August 2019
Issue publication date: 1 October 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the extent of intellectual capital (IC) and its four components in high-tech and non-high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in China’s manufacturing sector, and to examine the relationship between IC and the performance of high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the data of 116 high-tech SMEs and 380 non-high-tech SMEs listed on the Shenzhen stock exchanges during 2012–2016. The modified value added intellectual coefficient (MVAIC) model is used incorporating four components, namely, capital employed, human capital, structural capital and relational capital. Finally, multiple regression analysis is utilized to test the proposed research hypotheses.
Findings
The findings of this paper reveal that there is significant difference in MVAIC between high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs. The results further indicate a positive relationship between IC and financial performance of high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs. Specifically, IC is positively associated with firms’ earnings, profitability and operating efficiency. Additionally, capital employed efficiency, human capital efficiency and structural capital efficiency are found to be the most influential value drivers for the performance of two types of SMEs while relational capital efficiency possesses less importance.
Practical implications
This paper will provide a valuable framework for executives, managers and policy makers in managing IC within the Chinese context.
Originality/value
To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first empirical study that has been conducted on high-tech and non-high-tech SMEs in the manufacturing sector in China.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The research was financially supported by the MOE (Ministry of Education in China) Youth Foundation Project of Humanities and Social Sciences (Grant Number 17YJCZH087). The authors would like to thank the editor and anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.
Citation
Xu, J. and Li, J. (2019), "The impact of intellectual capital on SMEs’ performance in China: Empirical evidence from non-high-tech vs. high-tech SMEs", Journal of Intellectual Capital, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 488-509. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-04-2018-0074
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited