Management of intellectual capital held by Tanzania’s higher learning institutions: Strategies and challenges

摘要

Background: The economic well-being of any organisation in the world today significantlydepends on the intellectual capital possessed by these institutions. However, with its richnessin intellectual capital, some higher learning institutions in Tanzania are facing financialhardships.Objectives: To establish methods used by Tanzania’s higher learning institutions inmanaging the intellectual capital in their possession, with the focus of establishing a linkbetween such practices and the financial performance of such institutions.Methods: This study was conducted using a multiple case study design, employing a purelyqualitative research approach. Purposive sampling technique was used to involverespondents in this study. Collected data were analysed using thematic content analysis.Results: The visited institutions had a wide range of intellectual capital such as human,relational and structural capital. The intellectual capital found was managed using variousmethods, including careful recruitment of staff and knowledge-sharing strategies. Althoughthe practices of managing some aspects of such capital were at a very basic level at theregistry points, the practice was found to be very important for the economic well-being ofthe institution.Conclusion: Tanzania’s higher learning institutions possess a wide range of intellectualcapital, and its management methods vary depending on the aspect of such capital. Moreimportantly, the intellectual capital had a significant link with the financial performance of theinstitutions. However, the process of managing intellectual capital faced some challenges,including improper succession planning and the lack of a sharing culture.