Enhancing technological innovation capabilities: The role of human capital in Iranian sports manufacturing companies

Abstract

Background. To effectively response to environmental changes and gain a competitive advantage, sports manufacturing companies should invest in human capital. Objectives. The study aimed at examining the effects of human capital on technological innovation capabilities in Iranian sports manufacturing companies. Methods. Conducted applied research and the survey. Data were collected using standard questionnaires in human capital and technological innovation capabilities. The reliability of the questionnaires was 0.81 and 0.85, respectively. The study was conducted on 546 employees from 77 sports manufacturing companies. To evaluate the research hypotheses, structural equation modeling based on partial least-squares method was used. Results. The study results indicated a significant impact of brand associations on brand equity and brand citizenship behavior; human capital also had a significant impact on technological innovation capabilities. According to ranking results, the three main features of the human capital of sports manufacturing companies respectively were skills and expertise, knowledge, and experience. Conclusion. The main factors can significantly affect the development of human capital and technological innovation capabilities in Iranian sports manufacturing companies.