International Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business, and Creative Economy
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): July

Intellectual Capital Dimensions and Financial Leverage of Indonesian Consumer Non-Cyclicals: The Mediating Role of Profitability

Fahriza Alfarisy (Universitas Harapan Medan)
Zuwina Miraza (Universitas Harapan Medan)
Hafriz Rifki Hafaz (Universitas Harapan Medan)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study aims to examine the mediating role of profitability in the relationship between intellectual capital and financial leverage. This study uses secondary data from consumer non-cyclical companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2020–2023. Intellectual capital is measured through its dimensions, namely capital employed efficiency (CEE), human capital efficiency (HCE), structural capital efficiency (SCE), and relational capital efficiency (RCE). Profitability is proxied by Return on Assets (ROA), while financial leverage is measured using the debt-to-asset ratio (DAR) and debt-to-equity ratio (DER). Panel data regression and the Sobel test are employed to analyze the data. The results show that CEE, HCE, and SCE have a positive and significant effect on profitability, while RCE has no significant effect. When financial leverage is measured using DAR, only SCE has a significant effect, while CEE, HCE, RCE, and ROA are not significant. In contrast, when financial leverage is measured using DER, ROA has a significant negative effect, while CEE, HCE, SCE, and RCE are not significant. Furthermore, profitability mediates the relationship between intellectual capital dimensions (CEE, HCE, and SCE) and financial leverage when leverage is measured using DER, but not when leverage is measured using DAR. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of intellectual capital in shaping corporate financial decisions in Indonesia's consumer non-cyclical sector.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijebce

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Social Sciences

Description

Topic included in the journal are: Entreprenuship spesific topic cover but not limited to: Strategic dimensions of growth, The entrepreneur as manager of a growing company, Financing company growth, Internationalization and growth, The acquisitions process of a growing company, Teaching ...