Capital intelectual y ventajas competitivas en pymes basadas en recursos naturales de Latinoamérica

Abstract

The Intellectual Capital Approach is rendered as a source of competitive advantage. small and medium enterprises (sivlEs) based on natural resources are an important source of growth for Latin American economies; however, they feature limitations regarding intellectual capital, which could affect their competitiveness. This paper analyzes the process of generating competitive advantages in these SMEs and, especially, the effect of the different components of intellectual capital on business performance. The theoretical model is studied for the case of logging siEs in Oberá (Argentina). Results suggest that resource-based SMEs use intellectual capital along with other resources to build organizational capabilities that, joint with the territory, affect strategic factors, allowing them to achieve better results. This model characterizes elements of the human capital (attitude, training and staff skills), the structural capital (culture, technology and internal organization of the company) and the relational capital (customer and supplier relationships, cooperation and image of the company). such elements enhance organizational capabilities as a source of competitive advantage.