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What it means is what it does : a comparative analysis of implementing intellectual capital in Norway and Spain

Chaminade, Cristina LU and Roberts, Hanno (2003) In European Accounting Review 12(4). p.733-751
Abstract

The implementation of the intellectual capital (IC) concept at firm level introduces a new vocabulary to the existing language set. Firms are attempting to make sense of the concept and, in the process, operationalize it in terms of specific management tools. This paper provides a comparative analysis of intellectual capital trajectories in Norway and Spain. Although the implementation designs are different (selected small and medium-sized enterprises and sector in Norway and more non-selected in Spain), the paper finds that a dominant accounting perspective can lead to an excessive focus on measurement issues and little attention to management processes. Alternatively, introducing IC with a broader and less defined focus might help... (More)

The implementation of the intellectual capital (IC) concept at firm level introduces a new vocabulary to the existing language set. Firms are attempting to make sense of the concept and, in the process, operationalize it in terms of specific management tools. This paper provides a comparative analysis of intellectual capital trajectories in Norway and Spain. Although the implementation designs are different (selected small and medium-sized enterprises and sector in Norway and more non-selected in Spain), the paper finds that a dominant accounting perspective can lead to an excessive focus on measurement issues and little attention to management processes. Alternatively, introducing IC with a broader and less defined focus might help newcomers to experiment with the concept in a more open-minded way. In non-experienced firms the entrance point matters, as it defines the meaning for new words and concepts such as intellectual capital or intangibles.

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author
and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
European Accounting Review
volume
12
issue
4
pages
19 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:1042287947
ISSN
0963-8180
DOI
10.1080/09638180310001628446
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
45176c5c-9e1c-4b4b-be77-b008c21eb0bc
date added to LUP
2019-03-17 11:15:29
date last changed
2022-01-31 18:14:58
@article{45176c5c-9e1c-4b4b-be77-b008c21eb0bc,
  abstract     = {{<p>The implementation of the intellectual capital (IC) concept at firm level introduces a new vocabulary to the existing language set. Firms are attempting to make sense of the concept and, in the process, operationalize it in terms of specific management tools. This paper provides a comparative analysis of intellectual capital trajectories in Norway and Spain. Although the implementation designs are different (selected small and medium-sized enterprises and sector in Norway and more non-selected in Spain), the paper finds that a dominant accounting perspective can lead to an excessive focus on measurement issues and little attention to management processes. Alternatively, introducing IC with a broader and less defined focus might help newcomers to experiment with the concept in a more open-minded way. In non-experienced firms the entrance point matters, as it defines the meaning for new words and concepts such as intellectual capital or intangibles.</p>}},
  author       = {{Chaminade, Cristina and Roberts, Hanno}},
  issn         = {{0963-8180}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{733--751}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{European Accounting Review}},
  title        = {{What it means is what it does : a comparative analysis of implementing intellectual capital in Norway and Spain}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638180310001628446}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/09638180310001628446}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2003}},
}