Intellectual capital’s link with financing opportunities

Abstract Purpose – This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the link between intellectual capital and a firm’s ability to attract funding and financing in Italian companies. Design/methodology/approach – Data from 125 Italian companies was collected through an online survey and analysed using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings – Results show that structural capital has a positive, direct impact on both human and relational capital. At the same time, relational capital is the only intellectual capital component that has a positive, direct impact on a firm’s ability to attract funding and financing. Finally, we found that a firm’s ability to attract funding and financing impacts both innovation and financial performance. Originality/value – This novel study is among the first to provide empirical evidence of how human, relational and structural capital interact with each other and enhance a firm’s ability to attract funding and financing.