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The purpose of this paper is to present the MEMORAe project, the goal of which is to offer an alternative to the loss of competencies and knowledge in an organization.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the MEMORAe project, the goal of which is to offer an alternative to the loss of competencies and knowledge in an organization.
Design/methodology/approach
Within the project MEMORAe, interest was focused on the capitalization of knowledge and competencies in the context of an organization. The E‐MEMORAe environment was developed based on the concept of learning organizational memory. This environment is dedicated to be used by a semantic learning organization as support for competency‐based training. It is evaluated in this context.
Findings
In the E‐MEMORAe environment, learning content is indexed by knowledge and competencies organized by means of ontologies. Learners can acquire thise knowledge and these competencies by doing different tasks, accessing different contents. In the memory, competencies are defined via the knowledge they enable to be put into practice.
Practical implications
It is known that some industrial communities of practice are interested in the use of E‐MEMORAe.
Originality/value
Within the MEMORAe project, an ontology‐based learning organizational memory is proposed as support for learning object retrieval by competency for competency based learning. Using such a memory enables and goes beyond organizational knowledge management. Knowledge and competencies are defined and structured to facilitate their access and their learning. This latter is also made possible thanks to the resources that they index.
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Librarians are increasingly involved in projects and teams that require them to exhibit a broad range of knowledge and competencies which extend beyond traditional librarianship…
Abstract
Purpose
Librarians are increasingly involved in projects and teams that require them to exhibit a broad range of knowledge and competencies which extend beyond traditional librarianship to include aspects of records management, information management, and knowledge management. In effect, librarians need to be information specialists, but the task of broadening one’s knowledge and competencies may be daunting, and it is helpful to explore the competencies of these various information disciplines as a guideline for competency development. The purpose of this paper is to provide some insights into the shared competencies and knowledge of these disciplines.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper describes an analysis of the competency profiles of librarians, records managers, information managers, archivists, and knowledge managers and provides a competency profile for information specialists that incorporates the knowledge and competencies from all of these areas. The sources used for this analysis were existing competency profiles developed by professional associations and employers of information workers such as government agencies.
Findings
The analysis resulted in the development of a competencies list which includes five competencies groups. These competency groups are: collaboration, client service, and communication; organizational understanding and strategic alignment; programme and service delivery and management; records, information, and knowledge management technical competencies; and personal qualities.
Practical implications
This analysis may be useful for librarians or library students who are determining which professional development opportunities to undertake as well as for managers who are seeking to define job profiles for their library staff in today’s complex information environment.
Originality/value
This paper bridges the disciplines of librarianship, information management, records management, archives, and knowledge management by comparing their relative competency profiles in order to create a set of competencies that are common to all disciplines.
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Christoph Flöthmann, Kai Hoberg and Britta Gammelgaard
The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of supply chain management (SCM) competencies by splitting them into individual and organizational components and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of supply chain management (SCM) competencies by splitting them into individual and organizational components and measuring their impact on SCM performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Hypothesized relationships are tested using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping mediation analysis based on a multi-national survey with 273 managers while drawing on the theory of knowledge management and literature streams of individual competencies in the fields of SCM and human resource management (HRM), respectively.
Findings
The analysis reveals that individual SCM competencies and organizational SCM knowledge positively influence SCM performance to a similar magnitude. Moreover, organizational learning enhances individual competencies and organizational knowledge significantly and equally while corporate training programs fall surprisingly short of expectations. The disentanglement of SCM competencies renders HRM’s contribution to SCM visible by revealing the impact of HRM and learning practices on competencies, knowledge, and performance.
Research limitations/implications
To validate the findings, future research could apply different research methods such as case studies and focus on more countries to reduce potential methodological and regional biases.
Practical implications
The results suggest that corporate training programs need further development. Organizational learning’s strong direct and indirect effects have two main implications: first, it should serve as motivation for organizations to constantly improve their learning capabilities. Second, these only tap its true potential for enhancing SCM performance if they first elevate individual competencies and organizational knowledge.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to distinguish between individual competencies and organizational knowledge on finely nuanced levels. While the organizational knowledge level effect on performance has been studied before, this paper extends this effect to also hold true for the individual level.
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Mohammad Faraz Naim and Usha Lenka
The present study aims to explore knowledge sharing to evoke affective commitment of Gen Y employees through competency development.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to explore knowledge sharing to evoke affective commitment of Gen Y employees through competency development.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses cross-sectional survey to collect primary data. A questionnaire is developed based on extensive review of literature. A sample was obtained from Gen Y employees (born between 1980 and 2000) working in software organizations in India. In total, 582 completely filled, usable questionnaires were obtained.
Findings
Results indicate that knowledge sharing has a positive effect on competency development of Gen Y employees, which in turn, positively predicts affective commitment. Furthermore, this would result in the enhancement of employee competencies and eventually, the generation of affective commitment.
Research limitations/implications
This study was limited to the software development professionals working in Indian organizations Therefore, researchers should test the research model further in other industries preferably in a different country.
Practical implications
The more knowledge assets are shared in the organization, the higher the enhancement of employee competencies will become. To evoke emotional attachment of Gen Y employees, an organization must implement learning and development interventions
Originality/value
This study contributes to knowledge management literature, particularly knowledge sharing by exploring its possible linkage with employee attitudinal outcomes through empirical data. This also happens to be an empirical study to investigate Gen Y employees’ commitment in Indian context.
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Denise Lustri, Irene Miura and Sérgio Takahashi
This paper seeks to present a knowledge management (KM) conceptual model for competency development and a case study in a law service firm, which implemented the KM model in a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to present a knowledge management (KM) conceptual model for competency development and a case study in a law service firm, which implemented the KM model in a competencies development program.
Design/methodology/approach
The case study method was applied according to Yin (2003) concepts, focusing a six‐professional group involved in CDA. Data were collected at the beginning of the program and 12 months later from the following sources: interviews with CDA participants, direct and participative observation and documents/organizational statements analysis.
Findings
The paper finds that, after 12 months, CDA participants presented performance improvements that were not registered in four years of traditional training practices. The experience showed that, more than developing competencies, the method can accelerate time for competencies development.
Research limitations/implications
The paper shows that the KM model implementation in a small and more easily controlled group may have favoured the positive results. Studies are continuing to analyse the program over a longer period of time during which it will be possible to evaluate the enlargement in the program's range. Besides, two case studies involving a larger scale are already running.
Originality/value
The need for quick responses to the intricacy of the ever‐changing environment leads organizations to greatly rely on individuals' knowledge and competencies, which have been increasingly considered key resources for competitive advantage. The model may help companies under the pressing need to foster human and organizational competencies development, mainly service firms which produce human knowledge itself.
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Tobias Ley, Armin Ulbrich, Peter Scheir, Stefanie N. Lindstaedt, Barbara Kump and Dietrich Albert
The purpose of this paper is to suggest a way to support work‐integrated learning for knowledge work, which poses a great challenge for current research and practice.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to suggest a way to support work‐integrated learning for knowledge work, which poses a great challenge for current research and practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors first suggest a workplace learning context model, which has been derived by analyzing knowledge work and the knowledge sources used by knowledge workers. The authors then focus on the part of the context that specifies competencies by applying the competence performance approach, a formal framework developed in cognitive psychology. From the formal framework, a methodology is then derived of how to model competence and performance in the workplace. The methodology is tested in a case study for the learning domain of requirements engineering.
Findings
The Workplace Learning Context Model specifies an integrative view on knowledge workers' work environment by connecting learning, work and knowledge spaces. The competence performance approach suggests that human competencies be formalized with a strong connection to workplace performance (i.e. the tasks performed by the knowledge worker). As a result, competency diagnosis and competency gap analysis can be embedded into the normal working tasks and learning interventions can be offered accordingly. The results of the case study indicate that experts were generally in moderate to high agreement when assigning competencies to tasks.
Research limitations/implications
The model needs to be evaluated with regard to the learning outcomes in order to test whether the learning interventions offered benefit the user. Also, the validity and efficiency of competency diagnosis need to be compared to other standard practices in competency management.
Practical implications
Use of competence performance structures within organizational settings has the potential to more closely relate the diagnosis of competency needs to actual work tasks, and to embed it into work processes.
Originality/value
The paper connects the latest research in cognitive psychology and in the behavioural sciences with a formal approach that makes it appropriate for integration into technology‐enhanced learning environments.
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Taekyung Park and Jaehoon Rhee
This study aims to investigate the antecedents of knowledge competency and international performance in South Korean born globals, with particular focus on the moderating effects…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the antecedents of knowledge competency and international performance in South Korean born globals, with particular focus on the moderating effects of the absorptive capacity.
Design/methodology/approach
Building on previous studies, the study constructs and tests a research model using structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis for data collected from 271 early internationalizing SMEs. To secure results of hypothesis testing, non‐response bias was assessed using a t‐test, and tests for data screening and common method bias were conducted.
Findings
The results indicate that, for early internationalizing small firms, the prior international business experience of managers and networks affect building knowledge competencies. In the relationship between the use of networks and knowledge competencies, in particular, absorptive capacity is found to play a moderating role. It also finds that international business performance is driven by knowledge competencies the small firms accumulate. The findings imply that firms shortly after inception should raise their ability to acquire and utilize external resources and knowledge to secure international performance.
Originality/value
This study makes an important contribution to the body of literature on rapid internationalization of small firms by examining the moderating effects of absorptive capacity on the relationship between founding teams' prior international business experience and firms' networks and knowledge competencies. The present study thus helps move forward our understanding on drivers of knowledge competency building and performance of the early internationalizing firm.
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Pamela M. Nordstrom, Jennifer A. Kwan, Mengzhe Wang, Zhenguo (Winston) Qiu, Greta G. Cummings and Cathy Giblin
The purpose of this paper is to examine relationships between internationally educated nurses’ (IENs’) performance in a registered nurse competency assessment process and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine relationships between internationally educated nurses’ (IENs’) performance in a registered nurse competency assessment process and the outcomes of their nursing registration applications. Assessments of nursing practice competencies, IEN applicant characteristics and registration outcomes were explored.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a secondary statistical analysis of a subset of IEN application data from a previous study in combination with assessment data from an additional database. Application data between 2008 and 2011 were analyzed using univariate/bivariate analyses and regression models to explore the relationship of performance in the assessment process and outcomes of the registration process.
Findings
Competency categories IEN applicants had difficulties with (from least to most) were Professional Responsibility and Accountability, Ethical Practice, Self-Regulation, Service to the Public, Knowledge-Based Practice: Specialized Body of Knowledge and Knowledge-Based Practice: Competent Application of Knowledge. IENs educated in the UK and USA had the highest scores and odds of meeting competencies. Applicants educated in India and Asia had lower scores and odds ratios. All national entry-to-practice examination and registration eligibility competencies were significantly related to registration outcomes. Applicants passing the exam had higher competency scores while applicants ineligible for registration had lower competency scores.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations include integrity of data extracted from active databases, IEN motivation to complete the RN registration process and conversion of assessment scales for research analysis.
Originality/value
Results inform regulation policies that improve IEN registration processes and may be informative to regulators, assessment centers, educational institutions and IENs.
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Susana Pérez‐López and Joaquin Alegre
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of information technology (IT) competency on knowledge management processes and the relations among IT competency, knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of information technology (IT) competency on knowledge management processes and the relations among IT competency, knowledge management processes and performance outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses survey data from 162 managers and structural equation modeling to assess the links between IT competency, knowledge management processes and firm performance.
Findings
First, this study finds that IT competency plays a critical role in knowledge management processes. Second, knowledge management processes are directly related to market performance, which, in turn, is directly related to financial performance. Third, no direct relation exists between IT competency and firm performance. Knowledge management processes mediate the relation between IT competency and market performance.
Research limitations/implications
The research is cross‐sectional, so cause‐effect relations cannot be definitively inferred from the results.
Practical implications
The findings indicate that managers should not only focus on allocating sufficient resources for IT investments. To achieve better performance, these technologies need to be used to support the development of the knowledge management processes.
Originality/value
This study contributes to knowledge management research, identifying a key antecedent of knowledge management processes – IT competency – and analyzing the link between knowledge management processes and performance. Moreover, this study is relevant to IT literature because it shows that IT competency, on its own, is insufficient to generate and maintain a competitive advantage. Firms need complementary strategic capabilities such as knowledge management to strengthen the effect of IT competency on firm performance.
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This paper aims to identify the competency domains to be included in a conceptual framework for tax literacy.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the competency domains to be included in a conceptual framework for tax literacy.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a qualitative approach, this study expands on the current understanding of the competency areas of tax literacy. A dual-purpose literature review was, therefore, conducted. The literature review first provided the body of knowledge that underpinned the study and second, the key data concepts for the draft competency structure to determine whether there is consensus on an international (supra) level. The literature review was supported by an interactive qualitative analysis to further present the concept of tax literacy from the perspectives of various national stakeholders in an emerging economy. Accounting and public finance educators from a higher education institution, as well as financial advisers as representatives of a profession with a direct interest in tax-related matters, were considered.
Findings
Although a discipline lens seems to strongly influence the previous authors’ view of what tax literacy means, it was possible to identify certain tax literacy competency domains that should be included in a taxpayer education curriculum. These content domains consist first of a knowledge domain which includes disciplinary, interdisciplinary, epistemic and procedural knowledge components. Second, the skills domain should include components of cognitive and meta-cognitive, social and emotional, as well as physical and practice skills. Third, personal and societal attitudes and values represent the third domain. Fourth, transformative competencies such as value creation, taking responsibility and reconciliation attributes are important. Finally, core foundational competencies, such as numeracy and literacy should be in place.
Practical implications
The draft conceptual framework for tax literacy could serve as the foundation for the further development of a tax literacy measurement instrument, as well as tax education courses.
Originality/value
A more holistic conceptual framework for tax literacy, portraying the multidimensional nature of taxation, is presented in contrast to the limited one-dimensional position presented up to now.
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