Quality Dimensions of Intellectual Capital in Serbian Fruit Industry

Abstract

The aim of this research was to analyze intellectual capital in Serbian fruit companies with respect to size, fruit sector, and certification status. Representatives from 75 companies were interviewed. Survey data were analyzed through 56 items, grouped into three sub-categories of intellectual capital: human capital, structural capital, and relational capital. This study provides insight into how the fruit industry in a developing country perceives intellectual capital and demonstrates the use of developed models from other industries in the food industry. The novelty of this approach was the dimension reduction of intellectual capital factors into two distinct directions, namely, ‘customer quality’ and ‘stakeholder quality’, confirming quality as a dominant basis for both customers and stakeholders. Micro companies and non-certified companies are focused on customers, while medium-sized and certified companies are focused on satisfying requirements from all stakeholders. This study provides insight for engineering managers engaged in using intellectual capital models in the food/fruit industry. The presented model explores the potential of intellectual capital in determining quality improvement opportunities and improving company performance.

Keywords:

• Intellectual Capital
• Quality

EMJ Focus Areas:

• Knowledge Management
• Organizational & Performance Assessment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ilija Djekic

Ilija Djekic is an Associate Professor in the Department for Food Safety and Quality Management on the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Serbia. He delivers lectures on quality management, quality tools, and quality engineering for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students. His work focuses on food industry performance in the quality and environmental field, focused on field research. Prior to starting his academia career, he worked as a consultant and auditor in the food industry.

Bojan Dimitrijevic

Bojan Dimitrijević is an Assistant Professor on the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Serbia. His research focuses on organization and economics of production in agricultural and food industry business systems. He holds a PhD degree in agricultural economics. He has participated in international and local projects financed by the Republic of Serbia.

Nikola Tomic

Nikola Tomic works as an Assistant Professor in the Department for Food Safety and Quality Management on the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Serbia. He delivers lectures on sensory analysis of food for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students. His research area focuses on sensory analysis of food, food quality, food safety, quality management systems, and quality tools. He is currently engaged on three international scientific projects supported by the European Commission.