Intellectual capital management and sustainability performance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of intellectual capital management on the sustainability performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Design/methodology/approach This study is constructed on cross-sectional data garnered using questionnaires administered to sampled MSMEs in Ghana. The data is estimated using hierarchical regression analysis. Findings The results indicate that MSMEs’ management of intellectual capital has positive effects on their sustainability performance, lending support to the resource-based view and legitimacy theory in the circumstances of MSMEs in Ghana. Practical implications Shareholders and managements of MSMEs can escalate their positive contributions to sustainable development via their sustainability performance if they invest much more in intellectual capital and manage such investments well. Regulators and other relevant stakeholders should continually induce, encourage, and offer awareness, coaching, and accreditations on sustainable development and intellectual capital management. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to empirically examine the relationship between intellectual capital management and sustainability performance and particularly within the context of MSMEs.