The effects of intellectual capital on the productivity of banks in CEMAC countries

Abstract

This article examines the effect of intellectual capital on the total factor productivity of banks, in a sample made up of the six countries of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). To achieve this, after estimating overall productivity using the Malmquist Productivity Index, we specify and estimate a panel data model using the ordinary least squares (OLS) method, over the period 2012-2022. The consensual results with the theoretical hypotheses support that intellectual capital positively influences total factor productivity in CEMAC. This relationship remains robust with the Pooled Least Squares (Pool OLS) method. These results are indicative of economic policies at two levels. First, we suggest the proper exploitation of banks' intellectual capital capabilities, by assigning staff to tasks according to their profiles. Second, to make human capital a determining component of intellectual capital, the recruitment of competent and talented banking staff must be accompanied by internal continuing training programs.

Keywords: Intellectual capital, CEMAC, Total factor productivity

JEL Classification : D24, D83, E22, E24,

Paper type: Empirical research