Intellectual Capital Management and Competitive Advantage in Research Groups in the Context of Higher Education Institutions: A Conceptual Framework

Organizations manage intangible assets from the identification of intellectual capital that resides in individuals, organizational structure and relationships with the environment. Such is the case of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), which can generate distinctive intangible assets through the activities developed in research groups. The aim of this paper is to propose a conceptual model for intellectual capital management in research groups. The model presents the joint between static and dynamic knowledge elements that allow HEIs to generate sustained competitive advantage. Among the main results, the model shows that dynamic components of intellectual capital are strategic assets for the renewal and updating of knowledge. This management allows HEIs to obtain superior performance. Thus, HEIs should formulate strategies to strengthen the dynamic elements such as training, experience, skills, motivation, management and organization, empowerment of infrastructure and information systems, academic production, reputation, stakeholders, faculty profile and strategic direction.