Intellectual capital and firm performance: the mediating role of innovation speed and quality

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of intellectual capital (IC) on firm performance, considering the mediating role of innovation speed and quality. We develop a research model based on the IC perspective and innovation literature. We test the model by using structural equation modeling to analyze data collected from 328 high-technology firms in China. The results show that the three components of IC, namely human capital, structural capital, and relational capital, are positively related to innovation speed and quality, which in turn facilitate the operational and financial performance of a firm. The impacts of human and structural capital on financial performance are fully mediated by innovation speed and quality, whereas the impact of relational capital on financial performance is partially mediated. Innovation speed and quality partially mediate the effect of IC on operational performance. As one of the first studies to investigate how IC may influence firm performance through the mediating effects of innovation speed and quality, this study not only contributes to HRM literature on IC and innovation, but also offers managers with insights on how to align their HRM strategies and practices to develop IC when pursuing innovation and performance outcomes.

Keywords:

• Intellectual capital
• innovation speed
• innovation quality
• operational performance
• financial performance

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities in China [grant number 2017XKQY087]; Humanities and Social Sciences Research Funds of Chinese Education Ministry [grant number 17YJA630104]; National Science Foundation of China, [grant number 71302140, 71471079, and 71471080]; Postgraduate Educational Reform Project of Jiangsu Province, [grant number JGZZ16_079]; and Postdoctoral Science Foundation Special Funded Project of China, [grant number 2014T70565].