Communicative Action in Intellectual Capital Creation: A Habermasian 'Account'

18 Pages Posted: 9 Oct 2005

See all articles by David O'Donnell

David O'Donnell

Intellectual Capital Research Institute of Ireland

Peter Cleary

National University of Ireland - University College Cork

Nick Bontis

McMaster University - Michael G. DeGroote School of Business; McMaster University

Philip O'Regan

University of Limerick - Kemmy Business School

Tom Kennedy

University of Limerick - Kemmy Business School

Date Written: September 2005

Abstract

Intellectual capital (IC), which has yet to be adequately conceptualised, is viewed here as a complex dynamic process of situated collective knowing that is capable of being leveraged into economic and social value. Knowledge creation and sharing mechanisms are generally perceived to be central to understanding this complex form of intangible value. In previous theoretical work we have claimed that the social philosophy and social theory of Jurgen Habermas provides a point of departure of sufficient theoretical sophistication to possibly enhance our thinking and understanding in this field. The main focus in this research stream is on the quality of critically constructive dialogue, which we term critical appraisal norms (CAN), within knowing-intensive organisational settings. The quality of such dialogue, insofar as it is measured by the procedural properties of its process of generation, is an empirical variable. We provide some empirical support for this theoretical strategy here. Drawing on perceptual data from senior financial executives in the knowing-intensive Irish ICT sector we explore, using structural equation models, the relationships between Critical Appraisal Norms (CAN), Knowledge Creation, Knowledge Sharing, Organisational Capital, and Management Leadership. Notwithstanding the limitations of our research design, we find that the Critical Appraisal Norms (CAN) construct, which draws on the procedural properties of Habermas' conceptualisation of communicative action, provides statistically significant explanatory power in addressing both knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. CAN is found to be associated positively and significantly, both directly and indirectly, with knowledge creation - and with the broader process of intellectual capital creation. Some implications for the field of intellectual capital are then briefly discussed.

Keywords: Communicative action, critical appraisal norms (CAN), Habermas, intellectual capital creation, knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, management leadership

JEL Classification: A13, D81, L23, L63, L86, M54, O31

Suggested Citation

O'Donnell, David and Cleary, Peter and Bontis, Nick and Bontis, Nick and O'Regan, Philip and Kennedy, Tom, Communicative Action in Intellectual Capital Creation: A Habermasian 'Account' (September 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=813484 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.813484

David O'Donnell (Contact Author)

Intellectual Capital Research Institute of Ireland ( email )

Clonee Road
Ballyagran
Limerick County
Ireland

Peter Cleary

National University of Ireland - University College Cork ( email )

5 Bloomfield Terrace Western Road
Cork
Ireland

Nick Bontis

McMaster University - Michael G. DeGroote School of Business ( email )

1280 Main Street West
MGD #207
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M4
Canada
905-525-9140 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.bontis.com

McMaster University ( email )

1280 Main Street West
MGD #207
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M4
Canada
905-525-9140 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.bontis.com

Philip O'Regan

University of Limerick - Kemmy Business School ( email )

Limerick
Ireland

Tom Kennedy

University of Limerick - Kemmy Business School ( email )

Limerick
Ireland

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