The Importance of Research as Intellectual Capital in the Information Age.

 The status of research has dramatically changed in the modern era. In the past it was considered merely an academic endeavor, yet now it has been deemed to be one of the primary conduits of professional clout and intellectual power. In today's world, knowledge is the ultimate form of capital, and dissertations have ceased to become a simple necessity of universities and become legitimate forms of intellectual assets.

To many students, the completion of a dissertation is an escape from years of strenuous academic effort; hundreds, if not thousands, of research papers submitted and later lost to the annals of academic history. To most, a dissertation represents a significant lost opportunity, as much of its knowledge could affect the economy, businesses, public institutions and society as a whole.

Research, in itself, goes beyond an indication of scholastic capability. It is an indication of an individual's ability to think critically, to solve problems effectively, to be original, and to possess expertise in a specific field. The combination of these attributes is something the global economy has come to rely upon as businesses can no longer remain at the forefront of innovation without reliance upon new and effective theories, innovative solutions and evidence-based decisions.

What many researchers oftenfailto recognize is the ability of their dissertation to be transformed into more than just university homework; many students are often taught how to write an exam and write it for an examiner, not how to communicate their ideas to the outside world. The result is research often remaining unseen outside of academic institutions and therefore inaccessible.

The arrival of the information age has given rise to a variety of ways for researchers to turn dissertations into works of influence. Once only a few scholars could afford to make their works into books; now dissertations are able to be turned into any type of research-based publication – books, articles, white papers, online blogs, online courses, podcasts, webinars and even professional presentations to groups of interested people around the world, utilizing online mediums.

With all these avenues for research dissemination also comes the development of visibility and personal branding. It is now the researchers who regularly contribute relevant insight and ideas to the intellectual community and disseminate it for the world to read that can become thought leaders; this combination of expertise and exposure has become something akin to authority, the key to professional opportunities.

Also crucial is the ever-increasing interplay between academia and business. Businesses, organizations and even governmental bodies are no longer just relying on new research, but actually looking to academics to help provide the solutions to practical problems, to aid the process of innovation, to enhance their businesses and organizations. This phenomenon has also given rise to the necessity of an individual's ability to communicate an idea to someone who does not have the same level of academic knowledge on the subject.

However, a factor that seems consistently overlooked is communication. Academia may value accuracy, clarity and the use of specific, precise language, but the rest of the world prefers things a little more plain; being able to translate academic, often highly technical ideas into practical concepts that are accessible without compromising quality and originality is what separates a successful researcher from just another scholar confined to their desk.

Finally, the reality is that research ought not remain shut away in the university library. A dissertation has the potential to significantly improve the lives of people through improvements to business, institutions, government policy and even education. It is only a matter of time before every researcher can translate their knowledge and understanding into influence over industry as well as society.

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