Intellectual Capital as A Strategic Driver of Food Destination Image: The Role of Shared Culinary Heritage In Sarawak and Indonesia

Abstract

Food destinations increasingly rely on intangible knowledge resources and cultural assets to create distinctive visitor experiences. However, limited empirical evidence explains how Intellectual Capital and Shared Culinary Heritage jointly shape Food Destination Image, particularly across the culturally connected settings of Sarawak and Indonesia. This study examines the influence of four dimensions of Intellectual Capital—Human Capital, Structural Capital, Financial Capital, and Physical Capital—and Shared Culinary Heritage on Food Destination Image. Data were collected from 300 domestic and international tourists who had visited Sarawak, Indonesia, or both destinations and experienced their local cuisine. Respondents were selected through purposive sampling, and the data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling with SmartPLS 4. The significance of the proposed relationships was assessed through bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples. The model explained 80.3% of the variance in Food Destination Image, indicating strong explanatory power. Human Capital, Physical Capital, and Shared Culinary Heritage had significant positive effects on Food Destination Image, whereas Structural Capital and Financial Capital showed no significant direct effects. Physical Capital and Shared Culinary Heritage emerged as the most influential predictors. These findings demonstrate that Intellectual Capital contributes to Food Destination Image through specific dimensions rather than as a uniform resource. Tourism facilities, local capabilities, and shared culinary traditions are therefore central to strengthening tourists’ perceptions of Sarawak and Indonesia as food destinations. The study concludes that destination development strategies should integrate Intellectual Capital with the preservation and promotion of Shared Culinary Heritage to build a distinctive and competitive Food Destination Image.