The effects of self-reflection on individual intellectual capital
Journal of Intellectual Capital
ISSN: 1469-1930
Article publication date: 18 June 2020
Issue publication date: 23 September 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to develop a tool measuring individual intellectual capital (IIC) and investigate the relationship between self-reflection and IIC.
Design/methodology/approach
This study developed a theoretical model based on social cognitive theory and the literature of self-reflection and intellectual capital (IC). This research collected responses from 502 dyads of employees and their direct supervisors in 150 firms in China, and the study tested the research model using structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
The results indicate that three components of self-reflection, namely, need for self-reflection, engagement in self-reflection and insight, significantly contribute to all the three components of IIC, such as individual human capital, individual structural capital and individual relational capital. The findings suggest that need for self-reflection is the weakest component to impact individual human capital and individual relationship capital, while insight is the one that mostly enhances individual structural capital.
Practical implications
This paper suggests that managers can enhance employees' IIC by facilitating their self-reflection. Managers can develop appropriate strategies based on findings of this study, to achieve their specific goals.
Originality/value
First, this study develops a tool for measuring IIC. Second, this study provides an enriched theoretical explanation on the relationship between self-reflection and IIC – by showing that the three subdimensions of self-reflection, such as need, engagement and insight, influence the three subdimensions of IIC, such as individual human capital, individual structural capital and individual relational capital.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is partly supported by The Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities in China (Grant No. 2017XKQY087), The Humanities and Social Sciences Research Funds of the Chinese Education Ministry (Grant No. 17YJA630104), The Social science Research Funds of Jiangsu province of China (Grant No. 19GLB014), and The Double First-Class Initiative Project for Cultural Evolution and Creation of China University of Mining and Technology (Grant No.2018WHCC03/05).
Citation
Wang, Z., Cai, S., Liu, M., liu, D. and Meng, L. (2020), "The effects of self-reflection on individual intellectual capital", Journal of Intellectual Capital, Vol. 21 No. 6, pp. 1107-1124. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-03-2019-0043
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited