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Being Critical About Intellectual Capital in 2024: Chocolate as a Manifesto for Social Change

Author

Listed:
  • John Dumay

    (Macquarie University
    Nyenrode Business Universiteit
    Aalborg University)

Abstract

Intellectual capital should be worthwhile to society, not just worth something to companies. In this chapter, we critically analyse the intellectual capital of the cocoa supply chain through the Chocolate Scorecard project. We find that the outcome of producing chocolate (manufactured capital) from cocoa beans and the downstream financial gains (Financial capital) comes with a heavy price because the chocolate companies and retailers are contributing to destroying human capital (farmers and their families) and natural capital (land and the forests). At the heart of the problem is the shared value business model that keeps companies rich, farmers poor, and their children have no choice but to work on the farms as modern-day slaves. However, chocolate companies can pay more and do more, as companies like Tony’s Chocolonely and Godiva do. The changed business models positively impact people’s lives (human capital) and the environment (natural capital), and this is certainly worthwhile.

Suggested Citation

  • John Dumay, 2025. "Being Critical About Intellectual Capital in 2024: Chocolate as a Manifesto for Social Change," Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning,, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:kmochp:978-3-031-80197-6_17
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-80197-6_17
    as

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