With the role of purchasing evolved from a paper pushing function to a strategic and value creating player in global businesses (Espich, 2004), the activities of purchasing professionals today are knowledge- and competence driven. The purpose of this study is to identify the competency needs of purchasing professionals at DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS), Europe’s largest Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). It also seeks to explore the role of implicit participant knowledge in the process of competency identification and model development. For these reasons, a mixed-method case study at DFS is conducted. After reviewing the literature, a purchasing competency model is developed from scratch through exploring the target population’s self-image on competency needs and by contrasting these results to the view of purchasing department’s internal customers and management. The so developed model is then verified through participant observations and the identification of the implicit knowledge of competency needs of purchasing professionals. The study contributes to business practice and the theory of competency modeling. It identifies competencies in an area where little is known about competency requirements and explores the need to consider implicit participant knowledge in the model development process. The research outcomes are valuable to solve a real-world problematic situation through developing an activity based, multi-perspective and future oriented competency model. The study provides an example of how the aspect of implicit knowledge can be integrated when studying competencies. Results from this case in Europe’s leading ANSP are likely to be transferrable to other companies in the industry.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:684180 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Schwertner, Stefan |
| Contributors | Mulder, Martin ; Bown, Robin |
| Publisher | University of Gloucestershire |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/3433/ |
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