Intellectual capital

"Knowledge and knowing capability of a social collectivity, such as an organization, intellectual community, or professional practice."
(Nahapiet J.& Ghoshal S., Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, and the Organizational Advantage, Vol. 23, No. 2, 1998, visited 2009-12-02)

"Intellectual capital is now beginning to be classified as a true capital cost because (1) investment in (and replacement of) people tantamounts to investment in machines and plants, and (2) expenses incurred in education and training (to maintain the shelf life of intellectual assets) are equivalent to depreciation costs of physical assets.

Intellectual capital includes customer capital, human capital, intellectual property, and structural capital."
(Business Dictionary – Online, Intellectual capital, 2009, visited 2009-12-02)