The value of disclosing intellectual capital in Spanish universities: A new challenge of our days

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the relationship between intellectual capital (IC) reporting and transparency in Spanish universities. The purpose of this paper is to obtain new empirical findings and an enhanced understanding of the role of IC in an organizational change process is obtained.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study the authors developed a questionnaire which was sent to members of the Social Councils of Spanish public universities in order to analyse the views of university stakeholders in relation to the university’s annual reports and the adequacy and potential of IC reporting to meet their information needs.

Findings

From the results of this study the authors are in the position of confirming the need for universities to offer information on IC in their accounting information model.

Practical implications

All these results lead us to assert that to improve the information contained in the current university annual reports, it is necessary to make accounting regulators aware of the need to extend the information provided in the current accounting statements. Giving users access to a type of information relevant for good decision making constitutes a healthy exercise in transparency for universities.

Originality/value

Although the scientific and professional literature has provided numerous studies about reporting a firm’s IC, further research is still needed for universities. This need is especially relevant when considering empirical supported IC models.

Citation

Ramirez, Y., Tejada, A. and Manzaneque, M. (2016), "The value of disclosing intellectual capital in Spanish universities: A new challenge of our days", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 176-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-02-2015-0025