A Research on the Mediating Role of Intellectual Capital in the Effect of Innovation on Export Performance

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to reveal the relationships between innovation, intellectual capital and export performance and to determine whether intellectual capital has a mediating role in the effect of innovation on export performance. Design/Methodology/Approach – The study was carried out on companies that export to Turkey. In this direction, data were obtained from 259 exporting enterprises through the survey method. In the data analysis phase, frequency analysis, normality assumption test, extreme data analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability analysis were performed. Structural equation modeling was used to validate the research model and test the relationships between variables. SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 25 programs were used during the analyses. Findings – According to the results of the research, it has been determined that there is a statistically significant and positive relationship between innovation and export performance, innovation and intellectual capital, and intellectual capital and export performance. Finally, it has been determined that innovation has a mediating effect on export performance through intellectual capital. Discussion – Research results show that innovation is one of the most important points in turning the export performance of businesses into an efficient and profitable market share. It can be said that businesses' active use of their intellectual capital in innovation and export planning will have a positive impact on their export performance. This will enable businesses to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of resource use. In addition, businesses can examine the relationship between their innovation, intellectual capital and export performance from their own perspective in detail on a sectoral basis and determine the direction of their investments.