The importance of capital in economic theory: a brief review of the intellectual capital in M&As

Abstract

As a result of the permanent changes brought by globalization, emerging technologies and the shorter lifecycle of products, knowledge and innovation have become the main competitive advantages of many companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises must also constantly adapt to the changing economic environment and identify the relevant solutions to respond to these changes. Innovation based on market movements, transparent structures and the strategic development of key competences of companies, operating in the private environment are prerequisites for sustainable development and competitiveness. Using M&As, the acquiring companies have the possibility to access intellectual capital and innovation, belonging to another company, by merging or acquiring the target that owns certain resources. This paper presents a brief history of the term capital, followed by a statement of intellectual capital which can be used by companies involved in M&As to assess the intellectual capital of the acquired company. CZU: 330.14:657.421.3 ; JEL: B15, G34, O34.