The concept of competence: a thematic review and discussion

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 717-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Salman ◽  
Showkat Ahmad Ganie ◽  
Imran Saleem

Purpose This paper follows three objectives. The paper aims to demonstrate a synoptic view of the historical evolution of competence, significant growth and changes in conversation. The second objective is to investigate the meaning and definitional usage of competence and competency. The third objective is to present a synoptic view of different dimensions of competence. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews the selected literature spanning from 1959 to date from various databases using the following keywords: competence, competency, employee competence, employee competency, competency management and competency-based management. A total of 170 studies were selected in the first wave. In the second wave, a detailed assessment was made, as suggested by Tranfield Denyer and Smart, to ascertain the relevance of the articles. In this way, only 63 studies were selected for the review. This study also considers other relevant literature. Findings The historical evolution demonstrates that competence scholarship has focused on use of the concept in different fields and contexts, theoretical frameworks for competence development and strategic relevance of competence-based (demand-based) human resource management. Results also suggest that the term competency and competence are interchangeably usable. Finally, the review summarizes a total of 16 dimensions of competence, studied in various contexts and classifies them into hard and soft competence and further dividing them into knowledge, skill and self-actualization-related competence. Research limitations/implications This paper discusses various research implications for human resource development scholars and professionals. Originality/value This paper is a unique attempt to review the literature on three themes of employee competence.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 605-610
Author(s):  
Camille Allison Ishmael-Robertson

Purpose In this viewpoint paper, the key advances needed for human resource development in the tourism industry of Guyana are outlined. The purpose of this paper is to present the author’s perspective backed up by relevant literature. Design/methodology/approach This research is exploratory in nature. Secondary data were collected to provide background to the research and primary data were collected via a survey of private sector tourism organizations. Findings Data gathered show that the tourism industry is primed and ready to accept changes in HR training. Notable areas are first responder training; basic and advanced wine training; preventative maintenance; specialized food and beverage skills; advanced culinary arts and foreign languages. In addition to the skills required, the findings showed that some legislative work needs to be carried out such as the draft tourism policy being made into law. Originality/value It is anticipated that the findings of this research will guide policy makers in drafting a human resource development policy for the tourism industry.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Alizadeh ◽  
Deepu Kurian ◽  
Shaoping Qiu ◽  
Khalil M. Dirani

Purpose The purpose of this study is to get the perspectives of human resource development (HRD) scholars about connections among HRD, corporate social responsibility sand ethics. The authors also sought to discover if HRD academic programs need to have ethics-related courses for their graduate students. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors reviewed the literature and interviewed ten HRD scholars who substantially contributed to the field of HRD and have influential publications related to ethics or corporate social responsibility to find out the relationship between HRD, ethics and corporate social responsibility. A semi-structured interview method was adopted to collect data and purposeful sampling technique was used for analyzing data into identified themes. Findings The results from the interviews were categorized into seven different themes. While some scholars argued that ethics-related discussion needs to be integrated within every course, most scholars stated that ethics can be a required standalone course for HRD graduate programs. Originality/value Despite ongoing consideration of the ethical nature of HRD, little research has been conducted on how ethics and corporate social responsibility are represented in the field of study and practice. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first empirical paper in HRD that collected and analyzed experts’ perspectives in this topic.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Fang ◽  
Panpan Zhang ◽  
Sehoon Kim

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore recent national human resource development (NHRD) practices in China through a literature review focusing on programs and activities that represent the roles and interactions among the government, industry and universities. Design/methodology/approach To effectively consolidate previous work and conceptualize the recent development of the NHRD practices in China, a semi-narrative literature review was used to explore and analyze NHRD-related functions and activities. Findings Findings from the literature review showed that although the central government still plays a predominant role in China, universities and corporations are increasingly playing a critical role in developing an innovative and skilled workforce. At the regional level, NHRD initiatives in China have been increasingly undertaken by universities, industry and government–industry–university collaborations. The authors also found a disparity between developed and underdeveloped regions in terms of NHRD in China. Research limitations/implications This study used the triple helix model as a framework that provides an insightful lens for researchers to examine how various social entities interact with each other and jointly contribute to NHRD. Further case studies are needed to generate evidence-based knowledge to the NHRD literature. Practical implications A more systematic NHRD leadership structure at both the national and local level is desired to unleash the potential of bottom-up development and active government–industry–university collaboration. To counter regional divergence in NHRD in China, intra- and cross-regional collaborations are helpful in improving resources distribution and workforce development. Originality/value Based on open system theory, this study focused on programs and activities that represent the roles and interactions among the government, industry and university in Chinese NHRD through the lens of the triple helix model. In addition, this study offers a conceptual model of Chinese NHRD to help scholars and practitioners understand the transitional efforts in NHRD.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinju Lee ◽  
Yunsoo Lee ◽  
Soo Jung Kim ◽  
Ji Hoon Song

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify latent classes of work values that influence the career choices of Korean workers through a person-centred approach. Because work values may be diverse in individuals, investigating the various combinations of those values will help understand individual's decisions to take, maintain and leave a job.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a total of 15,103 datasets collected at the national level in South Korea. Data were analyzed by using latent class analysis (LCA); a three-step approach was employed to address classification.FindingsAs the results of this study, Class 3, “seeking balanced work values rather than income,” presented the highest level of job satisfaction, whereas Class 1, “seeking job security and income,” exhibited the lowest.Originality/valueEmploying an assessment tool to identify the distinct combinations of work values that individuals possess and then providing them with appropriate training and development programs and customized Human Resource (HR) policies aligned with the classes will be essential tasks for HRD (Human Resource Development)/HRM (Human Resource Management) practitioners.


2019 ◽  
pp. 1639-1651
Author(s):  
Choi Sang Long ◽  
Sia Shi Xuan

This chapter introduces the relationship between human resource development (HRD) practices and employees' job satisfaction. Employees' job satisfactions have gained tremendous attentions from scholars in organizational study and special focus are given into searching the answer to understand why some people are more satisfied with their jobs than others. In this chapter, the definition and importance of job satisfaction is first discussed followed by exploring HRD theories and models through relevant literature review. Lastly, the relationship between job satisfaction and the four elements of human resource development: i) Training and development; ii) Organization development; iii) Career development; and iv) Performance management are discussed and developing of a conceptual framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-153
Author(s):  
Adebayo Serge Francois Koukpaki ◽  
Kweku Adams ◽  
Adegboyega Oyedijo

PurposeThis research explores the significant contribution of human resource development (HRD) managers in building organisational brands in the hotel industry through the lenses of dynamic capabilities for sustaining competitiveness.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative case study design, this study deployed a semi-structured interview research method. It used a purposive sample of 20 HRD managers across twenty different hotels in India and South East Asia (ISEA) to explore their contribution to organisational brands. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe findings show the significance of HRD in building organisational brands. From a dynamic capabilities perspective, it was found that HRD has an impact on fostering brand awareness culture; HRD functional branding enhances the creation and sustaining of quality service culture; functional branding of HRD helps differentiate the brand and quality service, for product development and innovation by linking talent development and growth of key competencies and capabilities; brand training and behavioural training directly influence the right behaviour knowledge and effective communication that is translated into the enhancement of guest experience; and finally, organisational branding through branding culture and employer branding creates organisational wealth.Originality/valueThe authors propose a new conceptual framework for the branding of the Heroes to reclaim the HRD's splendour in the realm of other functions in the hotel industry in ISEA contexts. While the authors do not claim an external generalisability, we believe that an analytical application of this framework could be relevant in similar environments. The study also claims that HRD practitioners could use parallel literature repertoires from brand management discourse to value their strategic contributions in building and maintaining their reputational position at the board level. Practical implications and further research are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 699-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Fen Lin

Purpose Grounded in the resource-based view and social exchange theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop a research model that offers a comprehensive understanding of the antecedents and consequences of electronic supply chain management (e-SCM) diffusion. Design/methodology/approach Survey data from 142 managers (in charge of e-SCM projects in their companies) of large Taiwanese firms were collected and used to test the hypotheses using hierarchical moderated regression analysis. Findings The results indicate that information technology deployment capability, operational capability, human resource capability, and knowledge sharing are important antecedents of e-SCM diffusion. In turn, higher levels of e-SCM diffusion lead to greater competitive performance. This study also finds that knowledge sharing plays a moderating role by strengthening the relationship between organizational capabilities (e.g. operational capability and human resource capability) and e-SCM diffusion. Practical implications Managers should recognize that human resource development activities (recruiting, training, and managing valuable e-SCM personnel) are an important source of e-SCM diffusion. Similarly, managers must establish the connection between human resource capabilities and e-SCM diffusion (i.e. “soft-side” e-SCM) such as hiring and retaining skilled e-SCM personnel, training and development for e-SCM personnel, and measuring e-SCM personnel’s global mindset over time. Originality/value Theoretically, this study aims to provide a research model that is capable of understanding the antecedents and consequences of e-SCM diffusion. From the managerial perspective, the findings of this study provide valuable decision guides for practitioners to help them identify and develop firm internal capabilities and social mechanisms that foster e-SCM diffusion.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Osafo ◽  
Robert Mayfield Yawson

Purpose The purpose of this study is to present a conceptual framework to guide the design, development, implementation and evaluation of education and human resource development (HRD) efforts in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the concept of a tempered radical approach to provide a framework for a critical HRD (CHRD) and explore ways by which this view can contribute to developing HR who possess the requisite tools and character to function efficiently in the 21st century and beyond. This paper followed a multidisciplinary integrated literature review approach. This paper also reviewed relevant models and theories that align with the goals of this research to provide a broader view of the problems with HRD in Ghana and to help develop a framework that seeks to provide a sustainable guide for those involved in HRD activities in Ghana. Findings A positive outcome from the synergistic alignment between modern science and indigenous ecological knowledge moderated by the principles of CHRD will result in economic growth and development. HRD’s contribution to economic growth and development and its consequential benefit to the actors will depend on how best CHRD goals are accomplished. Practical implications The mediating role of the tempered radicalism will help modify the swiftness with which education and HRD programs are executed in Ghana. Originality/value This paper presented the tempered radicalism approach as the quintessential model for education and HRD initiatives in Ghana. The application of tempered radicalism in HRD literature is novel.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musarrat Shaheen ◽  
MD Sikandar Azam ◽  
Mahesh Kumar Soma ◽  
T. Jagan Mohan Kumar

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a competency dictionary and model for contractual workers of the steel manufacturing sector of India.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews with 30 supervisors and behavioral events interviews (BEIs) with 40 contractual workers were conducted to identify and validate the competencies of the contractual workers.FindingsThe competencies identified are arranged according to the similarity and dissimilarity between it under three broad categories of competencies, i.e., knowledge, skills and attitudes. These categories are used to develop a competency dictionary which has behavioral indicators, and a framework that can be used to map and evaluate the competencies.Practical implicationsThe competency dictionary and the framework developed in the present study will assist human resource practitioners in implementing competency-based human resource processes such as recruitment and selection, training and development and performance management for the contractual workers in the manufacturing sector.Originality/valueThe present study is among the few empirical studies that provide a competency dictionary and a framework of contractual workers in the manufacturing sector of India.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 595-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajashi Ghosh ◽  
Seth Jacobson

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical review of the mediation studies published in the field of Human Resource Development (HRD) to discern if the study designs, the nature of data collection and the choice of statistical methods justify the causal claims made in those studies. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducts a critical review of published refereed articles that examined mediation in Human Resource Development Quarterly, Human Resource Development International, Advances in Developing Human Resources and European Journal of Training and Development. Mediation studies published in these journals from 2000 to 2015 were identified and coded. The four journals sampled were chosen to provide breadth of coverage of the different types of empirical studies published in the field of HRD. Findings The review findings imply that HRD scholars are not employing experimental or longitudinal designs in their studies when randomized experiments and longitudinal studies with at least three waves of data collection are regarded as the golden standards of causal research. Further, the findings indicate that sophisticated statistical modeling approaches like structural equation modeling are widely used to examine mediation in cross-sectional studies and most importantly, a large number of such studies do not acknowledge that cross-sectional data does not allow definite causal claims. Research limitations/implications Although the findings urge us to rethink the inferences of mediation effects reported over the past 15 years in the field of HRD, this study also serves as a guide in thinking about framing and testing causal mediation models in future HRD research and even argues for a paradigm shift from a positivist orientation to critical and postmodern perspectives that can accommodate mixed methods designs for mediation research in HRD. Originality/value This paper presents a critical review of the trends in examining mediation models in the HRD discipline, suggests best practices for researchers examining the causal process of mediation and directs readers to recent methodological articles that have discussed causal issues in mediation studies.


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