Intellectual capital reporting for universities: conceptual background and application for Austrian universities

A university's most valuable resources are its researchers and students with their relations and organisational routines; their most important output is knowledge. These resources can be interpreted as intangible assets or intellectual capital, even though the term has so far not been used within the context of universities. Intellectual capital (IC) reporting seems to be a rich source for the development of management and reporting systems for universities. IC reports deliver information about the development and productive use of investments in intangible assets. The Austrian Ministry for Education, Science and Culture has developed an IC model that incorporates the knowledge-production process of universities.