Competencies management models vs. validation processes: A blind spot?

Abstract

This article aims to explore theoretically and empirically the steps, challenges and advantages of the validation process for competencies models. Besides theoretical discussions, the study involved the application of semi-structured interviews, grounded in the model proposed by Markus, Cooper-Thomas and Allpress (2005) for analyzing the validation process that is being considered here. This model comprises the following categories: construct validity, criterion and face validity, predictive validity and content validity. The interviews were conducted at seven enterprises with a competency model already implemented or in the final stages of implementation. Overall, the researchers found that both the models implemented and those still being implemented show low consistency in terms of complying with the requirements of the stages of the validation process. In sum, the article showed that the theme under discussion is a blind spot, both theoretically and empirically, in organizational studies.