Intangibilisation

Intangibilisation refers to the increasing importance of intangible assets in the economy. These assets are non-physical in nature and include things like intellectual property, brand reputation, software, databases, and organizational knowledge. Historically, the economy was heavily reliant on tangible assets such as factories, machinery, and land. However, in recent decades, there has been a significant shift towards intangible assets, particularly in developed economies.

This trend has profound implications for businesses, accounting practices, and economic measurement. Companies are now valued more for their ability to generate future income from these intangible assets than for their physical possessions. Traditional accounting methods often struggle to accurately capture and value these intangibles, leading to debates about how to represent them on balance sheets and how to measure their contribution to a company's success.

The rise of intangibilisation is closely linked to the growth of the knowledge economy and the digital revolution. Innovation, creativity, and information are now key drivers of value creation. Companies that excel in research and development, marketing, and human capital management tend to possess strong intangible assets. Understanding and effectively managing these intangible resources is crucial for sustained competitive advantage in the modern business landscape.