The influence of intellectual capital on export performance

The purpose is to analyze the impact of intellectual capital (IC) on export performance of firms and industries.

This research used value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) to measure intellectual capital as an independent variable. An export performance, as dependent variable, was measured as growth of exports. The sample consisted of 134 firms in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Empirical analysis was done by linear regression analysis.

The results of regression analysis show a significant (p<0.01), positive influence of the value added intellectual coefficient and its components on the export growth in the sector of food and beverages and manufacturing of furniture and wood products in B&H. For other sectors there is no significant relation of independent and dependent variable.

The results correspond with the results of the EU project that determined competitive advantages of B&H by Michael Porter's methodology. Results of this research raise the possibility of further testing of the author's methodology, called the measurement of intellectual capital in export performance (MICEP) methodology, in determining the competitive advantages, because it took considerably less time and money than EU project methodology. Also, a strong influence of IC on the export performance of sectors with competitive advantages opens the way for industrial policies based on intellectual capital, not only in B&H, but in other countries.

This is the first research that has measured the impact of intellectual capital on export performance by using the VAIC methodology.