The Mediating Role of Intellectual Capital in the Effect of Competitive Intelligence on Firm Performance

Abstract

In today's rapidly evolving business world, organizations have multiple ways to sustain their existence and gain a competitive advantage. One significant source of advantage is being aware of the strategies employed by other organizations. Competitive intelligence, which serves as a means for organizations to differentiate themselves from their competitors, is an integral part of strategic management and provides substantial benefits to organizations. This study aims to determine the mediating role of intellectual capital in the effect of competitive intelligence on firm performance. To achieve this objective, data were collected through a survey from 409 employees working in SMEs operating in Kırşehir using a convenience sampling method. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis. The findings of the study indicate that intellectual capital plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between competitive intelligence and firm performance. Furthermore, competitive intelligence has a significant effect on intellectual capital, and intellectual capital has a significant effect on firm performance. The results obtained from the study contribute to both the literature and organizations. However, it should be noted that the study's findings are not generalizable due to certain limitations.

Keywords

• Firm Performance
• Intellectual Capital
• Competitive Intelligence

Rekabet İstihbaratının Firma Performansına Etkisinde Entelektüel Sermayenin Aracılık Rolü

Öz

Günümüzde baş döndüren bir hızla gelişen iş dünyasında örgütlerin varlıklarını devam ettirebilmeleri ve rekabet avantajı yakalayabilmelerinin birçok yolu olduğu gibi diğer örgütlerin stratejilerinden haberdar olmaları önemli bir avantaj kaynağıdır. Örgütlerin rakipleri karşısında fark yaratabilmelerinin bir yolu olan rekabet istihbaratı stratejik yönetimin bir parçası olup örgüte fayda sağlamaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı rekabet istihbaratının firma performansına etkisinde entelektüel sermayenin aracılık rolünün belirlenmesidir. Bu amaçla Kırşehir’de faaliyet gösteren KOBİ’lerde çalışanlardan 409 kişiye kolayda örnekleme yoluyla ulaşılmış ve anket tekniği kullanılarak veri toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde kısmi en küçük kareler yapısal eşitlik modellemesi (PLS-SEM) kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın bulgularına göre rekabet istihbaratının firma performansına etkisinde entelektüel sermayenin kısmi aracılık rolünün olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra rekabet istihbaratının entelektüel sermaye üzerinde ve entelektüel sermayenin firma performansı üzerinde anlamlı etkisinin olduğu görülmüştür. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçların hem alan yazın hem de örgütler için katkı niteliğinde olduğu ve bunun yanı sıra araştırmanın bazı kısıtlamalar nedeniyle genellenebilir bir yapıda olmadığı söylenebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Firma Performansı
• Entelektüel Sermaye
• Rekabet İstihbaratı

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