Unlocking knowledge flows: The moderating role of institutional mechanisms in the impact of intellectual capital on knowledge transfer

This study examines the impact of intellectual capital (IC) on knowledge transfer within the research and development (R&D) processes of higher education institutions in Colombia. Despite the growing interest in the role of such capital in organizational performance, few studies have investigated the interaction between IC dimensions and their direct effects on knowledge transfer. This study aims to address this gap by proposing a model that examines the connections between intellectual capital and the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge, using research group classification as a moderating variable. Data were collected from research groups in Colombian universities to validate the model. A total of 214 responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that intellectual capital positively impacts knowledge transfer, as evidenced by contributions from human, structural, and relational capital. However, the moderating effect of target-group classifications on this relationship was not statistically significant. This research provides policymakers and university administrators with valuable insights for enhancing the research performance and social impact of academic institutions in Colombia.