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Purpose This paper aims to analyze the impact of intellectual capital (IC) on Brazilian companies’ sustainable value creation (VC). Design/methodology/approach An empirical study was performed using descriptive and multivariate statistics based on the finance, strategy and IC theories. This research is quantitative, explanatory, descriptive, applied and ex post facto and uses traditional economic-financial variables (derived from financial statements – FSs) linked to two established frameworks for IC analysis: the market-to-book ratio (IC-INDEX) and the MVAIC, a variation of the value-added intellectual coefficient (VAIC™). Findings The findings showed that the IC estimated through the IC-INDEX and the MVAIC frameworks is directly related to the VC of Brazilian companies throughout the entire period and revealed a consistent effect in all time frames analyzed. Both models were robust and complementary in assessing the company’s VC and sustainability. The conclusion shows that IC is the most relevant factor in explaining VC and its continuity over time, regardless of other traditional variables used to study the phenomenon. Research limitations/implications From a theoretical perspective, this study contributes to mastering the understanding of the subject by applying two important IC measurement frameworks to explain sustainable VC over time and examining the problem in the Brazilian market – paving the way for future investigations. Practical implications This study provides users of accounting and financial information and other market agents with a better understanding of the VC process and the central role of IC in this process. These findings suggest that these asset investments tend to be more qualified to create corporate wealth for shareholders and other stakeholders. Such a result can help improve decision-making processes, besides generating competitive benchmarking and assisting them in financial analysis and resource allocation in the economy. Originality/value The uniqueness of the research arises from applying two important IC measurement frameworks (IC-INDEX and MVAIC) simultaneously to explain sustainable VC over time and the analysis in a relevant and complex emerging market – both issues are unexplored in the literature.

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the economic-financial performance (EFP) and value creation (VC) in the Brazilian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Based on the theories of strategy and finance, a quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and explanatory and applied study was carried out, contrasting the performance of the Direcional company and the civil construction industry – both listed on the Brazilian Stock Exchange and the Over-the-Counter Market (B3) Findings The analysis of the EFP in the Brazilian construction industry shows that EZTEC, Helbor, Trisul and Direcional were the companies with the best EFP in the period. The analysis of the Economic Value Added (EVA®, henceforth EVA), as a VC metric and basis for assessing the relative technical efficiency score by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA®, henceforth DEA), revealed that the companies Direcional, EZTEC, MRV and CR2 were considered efficient throughout the period covered. The multicriteria methodology for empirical testing of the EFP and VC allowed not only contrasts Direcional's results with the other companies of the construction industry but also offered a complementary tool for comparative analysis of enterprises of different sizes, structures and realities. Research limitations/implications Regardless of any contextual limitations, from a theoretical point of view, the research not only helps fill the research gap aforementioned but also expands knowledge on the topic and demonstrates how this multi-criteria methodology (integrating DEA and EVA) can be used to assess EFP and VC in addition to traditional tools. However, this new approach evaluates, at the same time, corporate and sectorial effectiveness by contrasting the efficiency and efficacy (simultaneously) in the generation of performance and value of a company in relation to the industry. Practical implications Significant implications for managerial practice could be noted by offering a tool to improve company performance and creating a competitive benchmarking process for analysts, investors, managers, financing agencies, shareholders, policymakers and business owners, as well as organizations and sectors in similar situations – who need to assess the EFP and VC holistically and improve their decision-making processes. Originality/value The uniqueness and innovation of this research come from the original multi-criteria methodology developed, applied and validated for analysis of EFP and VC. This methodology was operationalized through DEA applied to the companies' EVA, making it possible to compare corporate results and those of the whole industry in a balanced way – an unexplored issue in the literature, especially in emerging economies, opening several avenues for future research.

This paper aims to analyze the strategic effects of the association of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in knowledge networks (k-networks) on their information and knowledge management (IKM) and intellectual capital (IC). Taking as the object of study two innovative and successful Brazilian experiences, a descriptive survey with top-level executives (managing partners, presidents, and executive directors - henceforth CEOs) was held. Based on theories of management and economics, the findings revealed (i) that the network formation process (encompassing culture, context, incentives for information and knowledge sharing and especially strategy) is an important factor to explain IKM (for creating, systematizing and sharing data, information and knowledge) and IC in its three dimensions (human, relational and structural capital), promoting long-term sustainable growth (perceived by improvements in innovation, competitiveness and corporate results) for SMEs and their networks - a very relevant issue, but whose theoretical and managerial understanding is very incipient in international literature, especially in emerging economies.