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Accountability through intellectual capital disclosure in Italian Universities

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Abstract

This paper aims to investigate intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) provided by Italian public universities in their annual reports and to identify and examine its drivers. An empirical analysis of annual reports of Italian public universities for the year 2014 is conducted through content analysis. The information retrieved from this forms the basis for regression analysis (OLS model) to relate the disclosure index to its drivers which include governance features, financial performance and control variables. The empirical analysis shows that human and internal (organisational) capital are the most disclosed categories of intellectual capital. The results also show that board independence and university size positively affect ICD in Italian public universities. The methodology adopted in this study could be replicated for other countries to obtain a better understanding of how ICD can help meet stakeholder information needs. The results provide a useful basis for further investigation into ICD drivers and influences and may also enable regulators and standard setters to better understand and regulate IC practices in universities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Management and Innovation Systems Department, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy

    Giuseppe Nicolo’

  2. Department of Economics, Management and Institutions, University of Napoli–Federico II, Via Cintia, Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126, Naples, Italy

    Francesca Manes-Rossi

  3. Public Governance, Management and Finance Department, University of Ghent, Sint-Pietersplein, 7, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Johan Christiaens

  4. Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics Department, University of Basilicata, Via Ateneo Lucano, 10 (Campus di Macchia Romana), 85100, Potenza, Italy

    Natalia Aversano

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  1. Giuseppe Nicolo’
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  2. Francesca Manes-Rossi
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Correspondence to Francesca Manes-Rossi.

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Nicolo’, G., Manes-Rossi, F., Christiaens, J. et al. Accountability through intellectual capital disclosure in Italian Universities. J Manag Gov 24, 1055–1087 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-019-09497-7

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