A recent study published in the Journal of Intellectual Capital explores how human capital and responsible management influence the ability of SMEs to innovate through external sources.
Introduction
In today's competitive business landscape, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly relying on open innovation. A critical challenge remains in effectively integrating internal employee expertise with external knowledge.
This article analyzes insights from a recent study (DOI: 10.1108/jic-04-2026-0262), which focuses on the nexus of human capital, leadership styles, and employee-oriented corporate social responsibility.
What the study examined
According to the abstract, the research examined the relationship between human capital and inbound open innovation (IOI), defined as the ability of a firm to acquire and integrate external knowledge.
The authors also investigated the role of servant leadership, employee-oriented corporate social responsibility (CSRE), and managerially assessed organizational support (POS) within a sample of 286 Vietnamese SMEs.
Findings and interpretation
According to the abstract, servant leadership is positively associated with CSRE and human capital, while human capital is positively associated with IOI.
Notably, the study found that direct paths to outbound open innovation were not statistically significant. Furthermore, organizational support was found to strengthen the associations between CSRE, human capital, and IOI.
Methodology and limitations
The researchers utilized partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with 5,000 bootstrap samples. The predictive assessment included blindfolding, PLSpredict, and artificial neural network (ANN) models.
According to the abstract, the cross-sectional, single-informant design limits temporal and causal interpretation. The authors suggest that future research should incorporate structural and relational capital.
WEBU practical proposal
Editorial recommendation: SMEs should focus on codifying employee knowledge. Use internal digital platforms to document external insights, ensuring that individual knowledge becomes an organizational asset for inbound innovation.
For outbound innovation, do not rely solely on human capital. We recommend implementing robust intellectual property protection routines and formalizing commercialization processes to safely share knowledge with trusted external partners.
Conclusion
The study highlights that innovation is not merely a technical process but a result of supportive leadership and responsible management practices toward employees.
While the abstract indicates strong links regarding inbound innovation, further longitudinal research is necessary to fully understand the drivers of outbound innovation in SME environments.
Sources and editorial transparency
Anh Truong Thi Phuong, Ngoc Duy Pham (2026). Human capital as an intellectual capital dimension in SME open innovation: servant leadership, employee-oriented CSR and organizational support. Journal of Intellectual Capital. https://doi.org/10.1108/jic-04-2026-0262