Extending the IC framework to paralympic elite athletes: the case of Bebe Vio

The aim of this paper is to apply the intellectual capital (IC) framework proposed by Aprile et al. to other elite athletes in order to analyze the usefulness of this framework. More specifically, it will be tested on Bebe Vio, a professional Italian wheelchair fencer. The results suggest that the proposed IC framework is also applicable to other athletes. Furthermore, the three original dimensions of the framework could be expanded. “Passion” (assigned to natural capital), “Family” (especially parents, assigned to sports capital) and “Charitable activities” (added to media capital), were included as further relevant element in determining the IC capital of professional athletes.