The value of structural capital is undeniable. This intellectual and strategic asset remains in the firm after employees have left (Bontis et al., 2015; Cabrita and Bontis, 2008; Curado, 2008; Nazari and Herremans, 2007; St-Pierre and Audet, 2011; Stewart, 1997). This means that structural capital is independent of employees and is generally explicit.
Within structural capital there are two main elements, namely intellectual property and infrastructure assets. Intellectual property refers to the elements of IC protected by law (e.g., commercial rights and intellectual property rights) and infrastructure refers to IC elements such as processes, corporate culture, information and networking systems and research projects, which can be generated within the firm or acquired from outside. Furthermore, in the literature, structural capital includes organisational and management processes, strategies, databases, software, information systems, routines, patents, copyrights, trademarks, brands, hardware, licenses, organisational culture, know-how, creativity and innovations (Filipe Sardo, 2018).
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