The assessment of intellectual capital from the perspective of the tri dimensionality of the language of accountancy

Abstract

This article approaches the assessment of intellectual capital from the perspective of the tridimensionality of the language of accountancy. For this purpose, exploratory research was conducted using secondary sources, with a deductive logic approach. The article begins with a theoretical incursion into accountancy as the language of business. Afterwards it discusses conceptual aspects of intellectual capital and its relevance as a value-adding element of a company. It then examines the indicators for assessing intellectual capital as recommended by Leif Edvinsson and Michael S. Malone, Thomas. A. Stewart and Karl Erik Sveiby – all considered pioneers in this process of assessing intangible assets. Next it compares the methodologies for the assessment of intellectual capital. Finally it discusses the assessment of intellectual capital from the perspective of the tri-dimensionality of the language of accountancy and presents its final considerations. On basis of the research, it was seen that the indicators usually try to identify how the actions of a company influence the value of its assets, since the market value of a company is made up both of its visible assets and its intangible assets, particularly intellectual capital.

Key words: language of accountancy, assessment indicators, intellectual capital.