Tapping the power of cooperation: unveiling the impact of intangible capital on competitive advantage

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyzes the effects of cooperation on the relationship between intangible capital and competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

This study takes the case of an information technology company in a cooperative network environment through distribution channels and uses a quantitative approach to obtain and analyze data. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The creation of competitive advantage for the company was facilitated by psychological capital and cooperation networks.

Originality/value

Our research reveals that cooperation networks mediate the relationship between intangible capital and competitive advantage, leading to moderate competitive leverage. This finding suggests that combining these dimensions can enhance future discussions on incorporating social capital as a third-order dimension in intellectual capital. Despite the rejection of psychological capital dimensions like optimism and persistence in the model, they still indicate critical success factors, which may be used in further research.

Citation

Dal Vesco, D.G. and Damke, F. (2024), "Tapping the power of cooperation: unveiling the impact of intangible capital on competitive advantage", Journal of Intellectual Capital, Vol. 25 No. 5/6, pp. 1285-1306. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-10-2023-0228