Title: Proposing the balanced scorecard framework for competency identification: an Iranian case study in software support industry

Authors: Seyyed Babak Alavi; Seyedeh Nasrin Bagheri; Masoomeh Khandan

Addresses: Graduate School of Management and Economics, Sharif University of Technology, Sohravard Sq., Habibollah St., P.O. Box 8639-11155, Azadist., Tehran, Iran ' Iran ' John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 79 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

Abstract: Although some methods have been proposed so far for the development of competency models in the HRM literature, it has been argued that many of these methods are still subjective and lack systematic procedures. Based on balanced scorecard (BSC) as a strategy implementation framework, this paper proposes a method on how competency models can be developed. Using this method, a competency model is formed in relation to key business processes, organisational and information capitals in order to implement strategies. This approach links competency model development to strategy implementation process in a systematic way. The model was then implemented for software support personnel in a large Iranian company. The feasibility of its helpfulness was examined using a qualitative study by interviewing best performers in software support and a sample of informants of this company. This study provided a competency model and some ideas for further research expanding the model proposed in this paper for competency identification. In addition, this approach can also be used for training needs assessment in relation to strategic analysis.

Keywords: competency identification; competency-based HRM; balanced scorecard; BSC; strategy implementation; competency models; modelling; Iran; case study; software support; human resource management; competencies; training needs.

DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2015.069010

Middle East Journal of Management, 2015 Vol.2 No.1, pp.53 - 78

Received: 02 Jul 2014
Accepted: 26 Jul 2014

Published online: 24 Apr 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article