22 International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector, 6(3), 22-42, July-September 2014
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ABSTRACT
Although a large number of models and tools for managing Intellectual Capital (IC) have been introduced
in the literature, the practical operationalisation of IC management still remains challenging. In particular,
how managers can better evaluate and select a proper IC management approach represents a critical issue.
Selecting a suitable IC management approach is a complex decision-making problem which involves a set
of factors affecting the choice. As many factors should be taken into account in that decision, the problem
can be tackled using multi-criteria methods. Through a synthesis of management literature regarding the ap-
proaches to IC management and the factors affecting their choice, the paper develops an AHP rating model,
which keeps in focus the most meaningful elements to be considered in making decision on IC management.
The paper presents the results of the application of the model within a not-for-proft organization.
Using an AHP Rating Model to
Select a Suitable Approach to
Intellectual Capital Management:
The Case of a Not-for-Proft Welfare Service
Daniela Carlucci, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
Paula Kujansivu, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
Keywords: Analytic Hierarchy Process, Intellectual Capital, Management, Practice, Rating Approach
INTRODUCTION
The Intellectual Capital (IC) of an organisation
consists of the immaterial sources of value relat-
ed to employees’ capabilities, the organisation’s
resources and processes and the relationships
with its stakeholders (Edvinsson & Malone,
1997; Lönnqvist, 2004; Sveiby, 1997). IC is an
important source of wealth creation in compa-
nies and other organisations and must therefore
be managed. However, as a concept IC manage-
ment is quite theoretical and heterogeneous. In
the literature IC management is used to refer to
several different activities in identifying, mea-
suring, controlling and developing intangible
resources in business (Kujansivu, 2008 a, b). In
practice, IC management can refer to different
things in different organisations, e.g. to a way of
thinking (a philosophy), to concrete tools or to
a comprehensive management system (Nordic
Industrial Fund, 2003). To support IC manage-
ment, tens of models have been introduced in
the literature.
DOI: 10.4018/ijisss.2014070102