National intellectual capital performance: a strategic approach

Purpose - The paper concerns the research problem of how to analyse the performance of a knowledge society as a whole, and in particular, of how to analyse national intellectual capital. The paper aims to build a conceptual foundation for national intellectual capital performance, and based on this, to construct a multidimensional measurement system for Finland and to investigate its usefulness. Design/methodology/approach - The framework and measurement system of national intellectual capital performance is constructed on the basis of the intellectual capital and knowledge management research literature. The illustration of the measurement system is carried out using empirical data from various institutions. Findings - The paper argues for the strategic, dialogic and societal measurement of national intellectual capital. Research limitations/implication - There was neither an exact purpose of measurement nor a detailed strategy for the knowledge society to aim at. Because of this, the measurement system serves as an illustrative example that provides a starting point for more in-depth case studies on national intellectual capital. Practical implications - This paper is targeted at policymakers and government officials concerned with questions related to national knowledge-based development. The framework and measurement system constructed can serve as a basis for the strategic measurement of knowledge societies. Originality/value - The paper shows how to apply the concept of national intellectual capital performance to analyse knowledge society. The approach proposed takes into account the strategic nature of national intellectual capital that has been ignored in earlier studies.