Human Capital and Its Impact on Scientific Production in Public Higher Education Institutions: A Case

Abstract

Introduction:
Human capital (HC) has emerged as a key area of interest within the scientific community, as it comprises intangible assets that contribute to competitive advantage and long-term institutional development. In higher education, the role of HC in enhancing scientific output is gaining increasing relevance, particularly in public universities in developing regions.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the influence of human capital on scientific production in a public Higher Education Institution (HEI) located in Norte de Santander, Colombia.
Methods:
A quantitative explanatory design was used, combining primary data from a validated Likert-scale survey of 205 researchers with secondary data from Minciencias. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were applied to assess the relationship between latent variables and scientific production.
Results:
SEM results showed that human capital exerts a positive and statistically significant influence on scientific production. The explanatory power of the model was high, with an R² value of 0.88. The most influential dimensions included researcher training, qualified experience, motivation, attitude, and research competencies.
Conclusions:
Human capital is a critical and sufficient factor in explaining scientific production in the studied HEI. The findings support the development of institutional strategies to strengthen researcher competencies, enhance motivation, and promote academic excellence. This research contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of the relationship between HC and scientific productivity in higher education contexts.