Article Abstract

	Title:	Competencies management in knowledge-based firms
	Author:	GianCarlo Michellone, Giuseppe Zollo
	Address:	Fiat Research Centre, Strada Torino 50, I-10043 Orbassano (TO), Italy. University of Naples Federico II, DIS, Facolta di Ingegneria, Piazzale Tecchio 80, I-80125 Napoli, Italy
	Journal:	International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management 2000 - Vol. 1, No.1  pp. 20-41
	Abstract:	As people are called to transform data, information and past experiences into effective knowledge, the management of individual competencies will become more and more important in knowledge-based firms. This paper presents both theoretical and practical aspects concerning the management of competencies, based on a seven year field research conducted in a large R&D firm. The main conclusions of the research are: 1) competencies are constructed by organisational members who interact through natural language; 2) it is impossible to separate the act of competencies' identification from the act of evaluation; 3) relevant competencies emerge from explanation discourses delivered by observers in the attempt to justify their judgement about the performance of an individual within given situations; (4) it is possible, by means of fuzzy logic, to design evaluation support systems (ESS) of competencies by analysing explanation discourses. These assumptions are particularly suitable for organisations operating in a turbulent context, where competencies frequently change.
	Keywords:	evaluation systems; individual competencies; knowledge.
	DOI:	10.1504/IJMTM.2000.001331
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