Intellectual capital and intellectual imperatives of higher education sector: an emerging economy perspective

One in every four graduates of the world will be the product of Indian higher education system by the year 2030. Against the backdrop of the report issued by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), this study aims to explore the effect of university intellectual capital on 'intellectual imperatives' of the Indian higher education. Structural equation modelling was tested on 590 university faculty members to gauge the influence of university intellectual capital on the intellectual imperatives of the higher education sector identified in the report. Results revealed that intellectual capital strongly influences 'intellectual imperatives'. Research conducive policies, employee-oriented practices, equal employment opportunities, stakeholder orientation and networking emerged as the earmarks of university intellectual capital. The study has international implications and provides policymakers and practitioners a feasible model to leverage university intellectual capital to create a situation conducive to enhance university performance.