Intellectual Capital & Innovation In Brazilian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

The objective of this research was to analyze the influence of intellectual capital (IC) on the innovation of Brazilian micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Based on the theories of IC and innovation, a four qualitative and comparative case study was carried out in companies of the state of Minas Gerais. The observed results indicate that: (i) the analyzed SMEs adopt different initiatives and strategies to foster the development of the IC and its constituent elements (human, structural and relational capital), and the greater presence of some of these elements depends on the type of business, the strategy and the company profile; (ii) these SMEs do not have a formal strategy to encourage IC management practices, and they are influenced by the characteristics of the managers; (iii) the management of the IC and its constituent elements, albeit indirectly, increases the capacity for survival, growth and business development; (iv) IC encourages the innovative process, also contributing to (v) competitiveness and organizational performance