Intellectual capital and supply chain resilience

Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik, Nick Bontis*, Mobasher Mubarik, Tarique Mahmood

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

125 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose
The main objective of this study is to test whether firms with a higher level of intellectual capital (IC) perform better in terms of their supply chain resilience compared to those with lower levels of IC. Likewise, the study also examines the impact of IC (characterized by human capital, relational capital and structural capital) on supply chain resilience directly and through supply chain learning.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the 159 processed-food sector firms using a close-ended questionnaire during the corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), partial least squares multigroup analysis (PLS-MGA) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test a set of hypotheses emanating from a conceptual model of IC and supply chain resilience.

Findings
Empirical results revealed a significant influence of all dimension of IC on a firm's supply chain learning and supply chain resilience. Likewise, findings also exhibit a momentous role of supply chain learning in reinforcing the impact of IC on supply chain resilience. Cross-firm size comparison reveals that supply chain resilience of firms with a higher level of IC performed significantly better than those with lower levels of IC. Firms with a higher level of structural capital had a highly resilient supply chain.

Practical implications
Findings of the study imply that IC and supply chain learning should be considered as a strategic tool and should be strategically developed for uplifting a supply chain performance of a firm. The development of IC and supply chain learning (SCL) not only improves the supply chain resilience of a firm but also can help to integrate the internal and external knowledge for harnessing supply chain resilience.

Originality/value
This research study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic which provides a unique setting to examine resiliency and learning.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)713-738
Number of pages26
JournalJournal of Intellectual Capital
Volume23
Issue number3
Early online date26 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • IC
  • Pakistan
  • Supply chain learning
  • Supply chain resilience

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • General Business,Management and Accounting

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