Title: The moderating role of social networks within the radical innovation process: a multidimensionality of human capital-based analysis

Authors: Miriam Delgado-Verde; Sarah Cooper; Gregorio Martín-de Castro

Addresses: Universidad Complutense Madrid, Business Administration Department, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Madrid, Spain; CUNEF School of Business and Finance, Ikujiro Nonaka Reseach Centre on Knowledge and Innovation, C/Leonardo Prieto Castro 2, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain ' University of Edinburgh Business School, The University of Edinburgh, 29 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9JS, Scotland, UK ' Business Administration Department, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Madrid, Spain; CUNEF School of Business and Finance, Ikujiro Nonaka Reseach Centre on Knowledge and Innovation, C/Leonardo Prieto Castro 2, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Abstract: Knowledge, or intellectual capital, and innovation continue to be key areas subject to rapid change in the current environment. The complexity of the relationship between knowledge and innovation leads to the in-depth study of more specific linkages. Intellectual capital is divided into human, organisational and social capital. This paper attempts to provide empirical evidence relating to the relationship between human capital and radical innovation, along with social networks. Using data collected via a questionnaire, our hypotheses were tested empirically in a sample of 251 Spanish technology-intensive manufacturing firms. The paper provides new, empirically-based insights into the study of radical innovation by adopting a research framework which is built upon the intellectual capital-based view of the firm, based on the multidimensionality of human capital. The main results show the positive and statistically significant role of human assets in radical innovation, and, regarding a moderating role, indicate the existence of a substitution effect between one of the human capital components - experience and abilities - and social networks.

Keywords: intellectual capital; human capital; employee training; employee education; employee motivation; employee experience; employee abilities; social networks; radical innovation; moderating role; technology intensive firms; manufacturing industry; Spain; human assets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2015.071551

International Journal of Technology Management, 2015 Vol.69 No.2, pp.117 - 138

Received: 26 Dec 2013
Accepted: 03 Oct 2014

Published online: 31 Aug 2015 *

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