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Accountability through intellectual capital disclosure in Italian Universities

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Nicolo’

    (University of Salerno)

  • Francesca Manes-Rossi

    (University of Napoli–Federico II)

  • Johan Christiaens

    (University of Ghent)

  • Natalia Aversano

    (University of Basilicata)

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) provided by Italian public universities in their annual reports and to identify and examine its drivers. An empirical analysis of annual reports of Italian public universities for the year 2014 is conducted through content analysis. The information retrieved from this forms the basis for regression analysis (OLS model) to relate the disclosure index to its drivers which include governance features, financial performance and control variables. The empirical analysis shows that human and internal (organisational) capital are the most disclosed categories of intellectual capital. The results also show that board independence and university size positively affect ICD in Italian public universities. The methodology adopted in this study could be replicated for other countries to obtain a better understanding of how ICD can help meet stakeholder information needs. The results provide a useful basis for further investigation into ICD drivers and influences and may also enable regulators and standard setters to better understand and regulate IC practices in universities.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Nicolo’ & Francesca Manes-Rossi & Johan Christiaens & Natalia Aversano, 2020. "Accountability through intellectual capital disclosure in Italian Universities," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 24(4), pages 1055-1087, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jmgtgv:v:24:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10997-019-09497-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10997-019-09497-7
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    2. Gianluca Zanellato & Adriana Tiron-Tudor, 2021. "Toward a Sustainable University: Babes-Bolyai University Goes Green," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Giuseppe Nicolò & Natalia Aversano & Giuseppe Sannino & Paolo Tartaglia Polcini, 2021. "Investigating Web-Based Sustainability Reporting in Italian Public Universities in the Era of Covid-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, March.
    4. Nicolò, Giuseppe & Raimo, Nicola & Polcini, Paolo Tartaglia & Vitolla, Filippo, 2021. "Unveiling the link between performance and Intellectual Capital disclosure in the context of Italian Public universities," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Sara Giovanna Mauro & Lino Cinquini & Elena Simonini & Andrea Tenucci, 2020. "Moving from Social and Sustainability Reporting to Integrated Reporting: Exploring the Potential of Italian Public-Funded Universities’ Reports," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Aleksandra Szewieczek & Beata Dratwińska-Kania & Aleksandra Ferens, 2021. "Business Model Disclosure in the Reporting of Public Companies—An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-27, September.

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