The role of experiences in creating and developing intellectual capital

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of organisational, relational and individual experiences in the creation and development of intellectual capital.

This is a conceptual paper, exploring the relationship between theories accounting for organisationally relevant experience and intellectual capital. A three‐dimensional model of human, structural and relational capital is used as a conceptual framework of intellectual capital, representing three levels of organisational behaviour. An understanding of the role of experience in developing human capital is provided by referring to experiential learning theory; the development of relational capital is explored from a social capital perspective; and structural capital from the vantage point of structural inertia theory and theories of organisational culture.

These theories suggest that experiences can be beneficial to intellectual capital development, but also potentially harmful if not managed effectively. Implications for organisations are considered and recommendations made for the use of experience so that it contributes effectively to the creation of the stock of intellectual capital. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research.

Against a background of a dearth of conceptual development in this area, these theories provide some understanding of the role of organisational, relational and individual experiences in the creation of intellectual capital.