Purpose The aim is to examine the dynamics of intellectual capital in public higher education institutions in Bogotá (Colombia) through a sensitivity analysis that simulates the impact of interventions in human, structural, relational capital and innovation and entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach The study developed a synthetic intellectual capital index based on the Intellectus model. This was adapted and updated for the Colombian context. The index was then applied to a sample of public higher education institutions, which, collectively, account for 20% of higher education enrolment. After refining the initial 344 indicators, a final set of 140 was obtained. A sensitivity analysis was then conducted using the principal component analysis (PCA) function in RStudio. The simulations analyse the effect of percentage interventions, compared to the results for each type of capital. Findings After refining 344 initial indicators, a reduced version of 140 indicators was obtained. Sensitivity analysis was then applied to this reduced version using the PCA function within R Studio software. The simulations analyse the effect of percentage interventions, compared to the results for each type of capital. Research limitations/implications Future research should explore the development of indicators that effectively capture the entrepreneurial potential of universities. This need is particularly evident in the limited representation of social-relational capital (8.5%) and entrepreneurship and innovation (9%) within current research proposals. These areas offer significant opportunities to cultivate stronger university relations with organisations and society, thereby promoting knowledge transfer as a vital “third mission.” Furthermore, robust indicators can facilitate the measurement of intervention impacts, contributing to the system’s modernisation and update through enhanced competitiveness and productivity. Practical implications Measuring intellectual capital enables guidelines for its management and investment. Institutions should manage and invest in relationships, expand coverage and access through knowledge transfer and enhance outcomes in entrepreneurship and innovation to ensure renewal and modernisation. Originality/value This work, based on quantitative data, examines the effects of knowledge management interventions on the accumulation of intellectual capital in universities.
Antolínez et al. (Wed,) studied this question.