The effect of intellectual capital on firm innovativeness and firm performance: A study in healthcare

Intellectual capital is a topic studied under information management, which is the strategic dynamic of business and management; and it is a currently popular topic both for academy and business life. The concept of intellectual capital has three primary components which are human capital, structural capital and relational capital. This work proposes a conceptual model that examines the effects of intellectual capital on firm innovativeness and firm performance in health institutions. This model is based on determining the criteria of human capital, structural capital and relational capital for public and private hospitals, and the effects of these components on firm innovativeness and firm performance. As a result of the research on the health institutions that are currently active in Istanbul, it is concluded that human capital and relational capital have a positive effect on firm innovativeness in health institutions. This research also shows that firm performance is positively affected by structural capital and firm innovativeness. These results emphasize intellectual capital's relations with firm innovativeness and firm performance; and the effect and importance of firm innovativeness on firm performance.