Intellectual capital management and power mobilisation in a seaport

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Vale, J (Author) Other; João Ribeiro (Author) FEP; Manuel Castelo Branco (Author) FEP

Journal

Title: Journal of Knowledge Management

Vol. 21

Pages: 1183-1201

ISSN: 1367-3270

Publisher: Emerald

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-36P

DOI: 10.1108/jkm-01-2017-0043

Abstract (EN): Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the management of collective intellectual capital (CIC) occurs in a seaport through the actions of the network coordinator. Design/methodology/approach - A case study was conducted in a seaport, focusing on the actions taken by a network coordinator - a port authority - to develop the seaport's CIC. The seaport is conceptualised as a meta-organisation, composed by interdependent actors which may possess different interests and different levels of power. Findings - Evidence suggests that the mobilisation of different dimensions of power, in both coercive and non-coercive ways, is needed to promote a higher level of collaboration. Indeed, by mobilising non-coercive dimensions of power, the network coordinator can foster a sense of community within the meta-organisation, grounded in a trust-based collective culture that can potentiate collaboration, and thus allow the attainment of a more "sustainable" type of CIC. Research limitations/implications - Despite the validity of the interpretations provided by the case study, generalisation of this study should only be conducted in a theoretically framed manner. Practical implications - The findings can provide network coordinators with a better understanding of the consequences of using different dimensions of power to leverage its intangible assets and enhance the meta-organisation's performance. Originality/value - The paper focus on the IC management of a specific type of meso-level unit, which possess some particular characteristics of its own: a seaport. Also, the paper aims to fill a gap in literature regarding the management of different dimensions of power and its effects over IC creation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19