Use of competency models has exploded in recent years. Unfortunately, the empirical research to validate such systems is scarce. This study explores the relationship between Competency-based Performance Management Systems and sales performance to determine whether the use of these systems increases performance. Performance data from sales representatives in a medical products company were examined to determine changes in performance following the introduction of the Competency-based Performance Management System (N=64). Correlations with performance were obtained for each competency dimension to determine if any factors were highly correlated with performance and if state-factors were more positively correlated with performance than trait-factors (N=66). The study found no significant relationship between implementation of a Competency-based Performance Management System and sales performance. Also state-factors were not more positively correlated with sales performance than trait-factors.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knowledge workers are a relatively new phenomenon that has until recently been scarcely researched. Within the intellectual capital metaphor and under the title of knowledge management, knowledge workers are being researched. Knowledge workers are critical elements in knowledge creation and capitalisation. Knowledge workers are important human resource capital that can create a competitive advantage for organisations. After the completion of a series of questionnaires by workers, certain knowledge worker characteristics have been identified with correlation with a knowledge worker measurement index. These characteristics have been used to formulate implications and recommendations regarding the management of knowledge workers in the postmodern knowledge era. It is necessary that management understand the knowledge worker within the intellectual capital metaphor and knowledge management tradition, so that the knowledge worker can be capitalized to a maximum. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kenniswerkers is 'n redelike nuwe fenomeen wat tot dusver betreklik min nagevors is. Binne die intellektuele kapitaal-metafoor en onder die vaandel van kennisbestuur, word die bestuur van kenniswerkers in die navorsing onder die soeklig geplaas. Kenniswerkers IS kritiese elemente III kennisskepping en -kapitalisering. Kenniswerkers is belangrike menslike hulpbronkapitaal wat vir die organisasie 'n kompeterende voordeel kan verskaf. 'n Reeks vraelyste is aan werknemers gegee en kenniswerkereienskappe is geïdentifiseer d.m.v. korrellasie met 'n kenniswerker-metingsindeks. Hierdie eienskappe is gebruik om afleidings en aanbevelings te maak vir die bestuur van die kenniswerker in die post-moderne kennisera. Dit is nodig dat bestuur die kenniswerker binne die intellektuele kapitaal-metafoor en kennisbestuurstradisie verstaan, sodat die kenniswerker as kritiese hulpbron maksimaal gekapitaliseer kan word.

The purpose of this study was to explore senior leaders integration of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) competency model within their employee evaluation system. This case study was conducted to explore how the NCHL leadership competency model is used within their organization's employee evaluation system. The NCHL leadership competency model guided this study. The research was an exploration of themes in leadership competencies used in the healthcare organization. Data collection included in-depth interviews with 10 healthcare junior leaders in a single healthcare organization in the Midwestern United States who had at least 1 year of experience as a leader and a review of secondary data related to their job skills and annual evaluations. Using Saldana's method of data analysis, 4 primary themes emerged: leaders are transformed by vision and focus, leaders need continuous training, leaders like accountability, and leaders like influence goal creation. The 4 themes indicated that participants perceived NCHL leadership competencies integrated in their performance evaluation system to be of benefit. The findings revealed senior leaders might benefit from integrating the NCHL competency model in new leader orientation competencies, leadership training, and performance assessment tools. Positive social change may result by successful implementation of the NCHL leadership competency model strategies from this study, improving societal healthcare through efficient healthcare delivery.

In the context of human resource management can be argued that employee selection process is a major activity. This process is essentially based on competencies so job applicants including university graduates with an economic education, should have the desirable core and key competencies that result from job requirements. The aim of this doctoral dissertation is to build up a competency model of economically educated university graduates, according to the needs of employers from the South Bohemian Region's small and medium-sized enterprises and to identify the level of desirable key competencies of students of the Faculty of Economics, the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. Core and key competencies' preferences were collected through the questionnaire survey from the 189 human resource managers. The competency model creation was based on the statistical analysis of the identified results. Following the determined employers' preferences of the competencies, the skills of Faculty of Economics' students were also tested to find out their current level of key competencies.

Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons examinée les pratiques actuelles en matière d'éducation en IS. Nous avons proposé une approche centrée sur l'utilisation des processus normalisés en IS, tout en faisant en sorte que le scénario d'apprentissage soit très adaptable et qu'il puisse être piloté par les compétences d'IS acquises ou à acquérir. Ensuite, une plateforme Web a été développée pour soutenir cette nouvelle approche d'apprentissage. En utilisant cette approche, les étudiants ne seront pas seulement en mesure de bien concevoir le système demandé de manière distante et collaborative, mais ils seront aussi capables de l'élaborer de manière appropriée. Cela leur permettra d'apprendre les principes et processus fondamentaux de l'IS, à mieux communiquer dans un environement de travail, la gestion d'équipe, la collaboration et les compétences techniques connexes. Les formateurs d'un autre côté pourront mieux gérer leur parcours d'apprentissage, les ressources pédagogiques, et les résultats escomptés. En utilisant cette solution, les organisations de ces formateurs et étudiants, c'est-à-dire les universités et collèges, pourront gérer et normaliser les compétences acquises par leurs futurs ingénieurs systèmes à tous les niveaux. / This thesis surveys the current practices and advancements in SE education. We ended up proposing a novel solution for SE education (an approach with its supporting web-based platform). The proposed approach is based on the recommendations of academic and industrial communities. It is centered around the use of SE standardized processes and at the same time very adaptive, with learning scenarios that can be driven by the acquired or to-be-taught SE competencies. The proposed solution is a web based platform that has been developed to support this novel approach within a distant Project Based Learning (PBL) environment. The solution aims to ease the learning at the same time of fundamental principles and processes of systems engineering, along with communication, team management, collaboration, and related soft skills. On the other hand, educators will be able to better manage their learning scenarios, training resources, and the expected outcomes. Last, educators and students' organizations using this solution will be able to manage and normalize the competencies to be acquired by their future systems engineers at every level.

The aim of this research was to develop a competency model for auditors by identifying those characteristics and behaviours that predict success as an auditor. The Work Profiling System (WPS), the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were the tools and techniques used to achieve this aim. This research was conducted in two groups: trainee accountants (year 1- 3) and chartered accountants (year 4-5+). The results of the research, which was conducted within one of the Big 5 auditing firms, indicated that the competencies required of a trainee accountant are largely consistent with those of registered chartered accountants, working in the same environment. The most noticeable difference was the change in focus from cognitive or technical skills during the earty years to a focus on managerial competencies in later years. The competencies identified in this research compare well with reported models in literature. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The aim of this research was to develop a competency model for auditors by identifying those characteristics and behaviours that predict success as an auditor. The Work Profiling System (WPS), the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were the tools and techniques used to achieve this aim. This research was conducted in two groups: trainee accountants (year 1- 3) and chartered accountants (year 4-5+). The results of the research, which was conducted within one of the Big 5 auditing firms, indicated that the competencies required of a trainee accountant are largely consistent with those of registered chartered accountants, working in the same environment. The most noticeable difference was the change in focus from cognitive or technical skills during the earty years to a focus on managerial competencies in later years. The competencies identified in this research compare well with reported models in literature. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)