Abstract:

The research paper entitled “Demonstrating how universities extend value creation and performance: convergence between intellectual capital contributions and research quality – A Romanian collective intelligence framework” emphasizes the key role played by intellectual capital in both universities and research institutes. Moreover, it shows the importance of intellectual capital contributions as well as the benefits derived from a high quality research when addressing the case of how universities extend their value creation process and enhance their performance. Furthermore, the necessity of creating a collective intelligence framework is brought into discussion and the case of Romanian universities and research institutes is emphasized while referring to the potential, perspectives and benefits derived from creating such a model.

First of all, this work underlines the key findings encountered in other similar studies addressing the role played by intellectual capital in the education field. Moreover, the study acknowledges previous work on intellectual capital management and collective intelligence in universities and research institutes setting. Second of all, the paper focuses on demonstrating how universities can extend their value creation potential and enhance their performance, starting from the main idea that there is a convergence between intellectual capital contributions and research quality, in terms of generating knowledge and developing human capital. In addition, it presents the drivers of intellectual capital in the education filed and the way in which a comprehensive intellectual capital assessment in educational institutions could be done. Third of all, the case of Romanian universities and research institutes is addressed, by stressing the fact that their outcomes have a great impact on the society, communities and businesses. In addition, the need to create a collective intelligence framework in the case of Romanian universities and research institutes is emphasized and the potential benefits are presented, namely: the universities and institutes could export their knowledge, become more socially engaged, strive to generate innovation, advocate for technology transfer and continuing education.

All things considered, on the one hand, only a few studies have considered the convergence between intellectual capital contributions and research quality and, on the other hand, only a few studies have shown ways in which universities can extend value creation and performance. Extremely helpful in this regard are this paper’s findings on the case of Romanian universities and research institutes, which were gathered by using several research methods:
(a.) literature review thorough analysis;
(b.) questioner sessions;
(c.) interviews sessions; and
(d.) focus groups sessions.

According to the results obtained, Romanian universities and research institutes are major players in socio-economic development and regional growth. Moreover, Romanian universities and research institutes should focus much more on creating valuable knowledge in a dynamic operating environment in order to consolidate their position as critical players at an international level. Furthermore, Romanian educational institutions should apply the concept of intellectual capital to assess intangible resources for the quality of their educational process as well as for the quality of their research processes.

Keywords:

Intellectual capital, education, collective intelligence, value creation, performance, competition, intangible assets, accounting value, convergence, Romania.