Intellectual capital components and entrepreneurial orientation: the mediating role of absorptive capacity

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of intellectual capital (IC) components and absorptive capacity (ACAP) on entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Furthermore, it attempts to investigate the mediating role of ACAP between intellectual components and EO. Design/methodology/approach Using a self-administered survey to sample the Jordanian pharmaceutical industry, the research measurement scale was adapted from previous studies, and data were collected from 24 pharmaceutical companies. The proposed conceptual model and associated hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The empirical findings indicate that relational capital (RC) and structural capital (SC) have a significant impact on EO and account for 72.2% of this aspect. However, it is somewhat unexpected to find that human capital does not have a significant direct impact on EO. ACAP positively mediates the relationships between RC and SC and EO. Finally, this study has several theoretical and practical implications with regard to the business literature and management practices. Originality/value This research bridges gaps in the literature and highlights the importance of ACAP in knowledge-based industries. The assessment and estimation of how knowledge ACAP is associated with entrepreneurship orientation has not been previously provided. From a practical perspective, the findings of this research can be used by firms in the pharmaceutical industry to enhance ACAP and better exploit their IC, leading to a more proactive and innovative entrepreneurship orientation. This, in turn, can lead to the development a new products and services. Furthermore, by examining the mediating role of ACAP between intellectual capacity components and EO in the pharmaceutical industry, the research contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship orientation in developing countries.