Exploring and Ranking the Intellectual Capital Factors Affecting Knowledge-Based Companies (Case Study: Knowledge-based companies in North Khorasan)

This research was conducted with the aim of exploring and ranking the intellectual capital factors affecting knowledge-based companies. The research was performed using a descriptive-survey method with a quantitative approach. The statistical population of this research consisted of 155 directors of knowledge-based companies, from whom 110 people were selected as samples using simple random sampling method. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire . Opinions of experts and professors were used to ensure the formal validity of the questionnaire. The reliability of the questionnaire was estimated to be 0.89 using a composite reliability criterion model. Data was analyzed using SPSS20 software and SMART-PLS software package by confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. The results showed that the intellectual capital components that affect knowledge-based companies can be divided in two groups, internal factors (entrepreneur characteristics, company strategy and characteristics of the company) and external factors (institutional environment, political environment, cultural/social environment, economic environment and the infrastructure environment). The final model of the intellectual capital factors influencing knowledge-based companies was confirmed by fitness indicators with an index value of 0.70 which for the designed model, shows a suitable fitting of the factor structure and the theoretical basis of the research.