Capacities, competences and capabilities as knowledge structures to build relational capital

© 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the relationship between relational capital produced by universities and knowledge structures, which include both the capacities and competencies that students have learned and the capabilities they have put into practice. Design/methodology/approach: To analyse research data and test the proposed model, partial least squares structural equation modelling (SmartPLS 3.2.9) is used on a sample of 125 students of a Spanish university. Findings: The results of the study demonstrate that the creation of relational capital by universities will depend largely on how students¿ capacity is supplemented and merged with students¿ competency to develop synergies that increase the students¿ capability to give an additional value to the community members. Originality/value: This study allows an in-depth analysis of the cause and effect link between the knowledge structures and support the members of higher educational institutions to understand how to achieve relational capital in universities.