Intangibility refers to a characteristic that eludes physical touch. Services and intellectual capital are often considered intangible because they do not materialize in a concrete way. However, Frédéric Bielen and Christophe Sempels challenge this limited interpretation of the concept. In English, for example, intangibility is perceived differently, referring to something difficult to describe, complex to measure, or even to understand.
The researchers emphasize that intangibility is not limited to a physical dimension but also encompasses a mental one. In French, the term “intangible” is often used as the opposite of “tangible,” referring to something impalpable, beyond the reach of touch. However, etymologically, “intangible” means “that which must remain intact, sacred, inviolable.”
Intangibility can vary depending on the context: while the physical component is generally limited (although some parts of a product may not be immediately perceptible), the mental dimension can be predominant. Thus, making a product tangible can be meaningful: explaining the message of a work of art, for example, makes it more concrete. In this sense, a guide can help make the artist’s intention palpable.
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