Systematic Literature Review on Intellectual Capital and Corporate Performance

Abstract

Purpose – This systematic review examines the relationship between intellectual capital (IC) and corporate performance, synthesising recent literature to identify key trends, measurement approaches, and performance outcomes. Design or Methodology/Approach – A systematic literature review (SLR), guided by the PRISMA framework, was conducted on 63 peer-reviewed articles published in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 2018 and 2024. Findings – Asia accounted for 64% of the reviewed studies, led by China (16.39%) and India (14.75%), underscoring the region’s growing research prominence. Human capital was the most frequently studied IC component (85%), followed by structural capital (70%) and relational capital (65%), with increasing attention to innovation, social, and entrepreneurial capital. The Value-Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) emerged as the dominant measurement tool (37.5%). Corporate performance was most significantly influenced by human capital and capital-employed efficiency (CEE), while the effects of other components were mixed. Originality or Value – This review consolidates recent empirical evidence on IC’s contribution to competitive advantage, offering policymakers and business leaders actionable insights for IC-oriented strategies. It also maps the evolving research landscape and identifies gaps for future inquiry.

Keywords: Intellectual Capital, Performance, Systematic Literature Review, PRISMA Framework, Human Capital, VAIC

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