A conceptual model for evaluating intellectual capital systems: an empirical study of a high-tech company in Taiwan

In the era of knowledge-based economy, knowledge management is a key index of enterprise competitiveness, while intellectual capital management is one of the core instruments for knowledge management. Because intellectual capital is intangible, its value cannot be properly measured by using traditional financial index. "How to create, manage, and evaluate intellectual capital" is an important issue for a modern enterprise. So the objectives of this research are to induce an accessible IC model that can help evaluate contributions of intangible capital easily. It will provide clear guidelines to related staff such as internal R&D department, etc., to locate the most critical and relevant factors for assessing intellectual capital that can serve as references for the enterprise, academic groups, innovative organisations and stakeholders. Based on the results of literature review, this study inducts critical factors and gives a conceptual model of intellectual capital. Then, a case study is conducted to verify the critical factors on the adoption of intellectual capital system. After statistical analysis, this study identifies three factors in financial capital dimension, five factors in customer capital dimension, one factor in process dimension, three factors in human capital dimension, one factor in innovation and R&D dimension, and two factors in information technology dimension. Finally, suggestions and guidelines are provided for adoption and implementation of intellectual capital system.