Measuring intellectual capital: A case of football clubs in UEFA Champion League

Abstract

This study mainly examines intellectual capital efficiency of 10 top football clubs in UEFA Champion League. For measurement of the total intellectual capital efficiency, the study follows VAIC model and finds that almost clubs use its intellectual capital efficiently with great coefficients, especially for Barcelona and Benfica club. However, the intellectual capital efficiency of both Roma and Galatasary is negative, showing insignificant value due to operating loss or equity loss. Another hand, this study also investigates the relationship between human capital and structural capital in intellectual capital components with an additional test. It uses regression model for investigating human capital’s effect on structural capital. The regression result demonstrates that human capital, as the core of intellectual capital, has positive impact on structural capital. Our finding is significant for sports manager to make strategic management of intellectual sources to create value in football industry. It suggests that football clubs should pay more attention to intellectual capital like fan loyalty and talented players. Meanwhile, it helps sports industry to play a great role of human capital in intellectual capital and to increase competitive advantage of enterprise.