Intellectual capital in Serbia’s hotel industry

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to determine whether intellectual capital (IC) creates value in the Serbian hotel industry. Specifically, this paper examines to what degree IC and its key components affect the financial performance of hotels compared to physical and financial capital. Design/methodology/approach – The sample included all of the hotels that operated as independent entities in Serbia during 2009–2012. value-added intellectual coefficient was used to measure the level of IC contribution to value creation, which was linked to various measures of financial performance, including operating profit, return on equity, return on assets, profitability and employee productivity. Findings – Results indicate that after controlling for firm size and leverage, employee productivity and, to some extent, profitability were affected by human and structural capital. The research confirms that the financial performance of hotels in Serbia remains predominantly influenced by efficient use of physical capital. Research limitations/implications – The study’s generalizability is limited to the hotel sector within Serbia. Practical implications – Senior managers in the hotel industry must recognize the importance of managing both the physical aspects of their hotels and the intangible resources embedded in their employees and processes. Originality/value – The findings will aid recognition of the importance of investing in IC in hotel industry as a crucial element of achieving competitive advantage in the information age. Moreover, the findings suggest that long-term growth should not rely solely on physical and financial assets.