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Sustainable development and intangibles: building sustainable intellectual capital

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  • María D. López‐Gamero
  • Patrocinio Zaragoza‐Sáez
  • Enrique Claver‐Cortés
  • José F. Molina‐Azorín

Abstract

Sustainable intellectual capital is a promising starting‐point for the incorporation of environmental aspects into the general management system of a firm. This paper examines how sustainable intellectual capital helps to overcome the shortcomings of conventional approaches to environmental management systems. It does this by extending the concept of sustainability from relational capital to the three pillars of intellectual capital: human, structural and relational intellectual capital. A multiple case study was carried out with Spanish firms characterized by their high level of environmental leadership. The findings indicated that sustainable human intellectual capital, environmental training, information and awareness sessions help in the accumulation and utilization of knowledge. As for sustainable structural intellectual capital, the environmental technology portfolio is improved and new environmental departments are created. Regarding sustainable relational intellectual capital, the firm–environment link is very important. In the primary and secondary sectors suppliers become involved to a greater extent in the environmental management process, whereas in the service sector it is the customer who becomes more involved. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • María D. López‐Gamero & Patrocinio Zaragoza‐Sáez & Enrique Claver‐Cortés & José F. Molina‐Azorín, 2011. "Sustainable development and intangibles: building sustainable intellectual capital," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(1), pages 18-37, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:20:y:2011:i:1:p:18-37
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.666
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    2. José F. Molina-Azorin & Maria D. López-Gamero & Juan José Tarí & Jorge Pereira-Moliner & Eva M. Pertusa-Ortega, 2021. "Environmental Management, Human Resource Management and Green Human Resource Management: A Literature Review," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Naimah Ahmad Yahya & Roshayani Arshad & Amrizah Kamaluddin & Rahayu Abdul Rahman*, 2019. "Green Intellectual Capital and Firm Competitive Advantage: Evidence from Malaysian Manufacturing Firms," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 5(2), pages 463-471, 02-2019.
    4. Caterina Cavicchi & Chiara Oppi & Emidia Vagnoni, 2022. "Back and Forth on Sustainable Development: A Focus on Healthcare Organisations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, April.

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