This study explores how intellectual capital influences organizational performance in higher education institutions, emphasizing the role of intrinsic motivation as a mediating factor. The research draws on survey data from 815 faculty and administrative managers across public and private universities in Ecuador, collected via a questionnaire adapted from prior studies. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the direction and strength of the proposed relationships. Results reveal that intellectual capital has a significant positive effect on organizational performance, with intrinsic motivation partially mediating this link. Furthermore, the impact of intellectual capital did not differ significantly between public and private institutions. These findings highlight that managers can enhance organizational outcomes by fostering intrinsic motivation alongside intellectual capital. The study contributes to the literature by positioning intrinsic motivation as a critical mediator and applying Self-Determination Theory to explain the mechanisms underlying the intellectual capital–performance relationship, offering a novel perspective in the higher education context.
