Competency, its nature, its acquisition and its maintenance, is emerging as the pivotal dimension of human development for employability, corporate competitive advantage and national economic success. It is, however, a concept still fogged by misunderstanding and debate. The authors of this article attempt to clear the fog by providing a succinct conceptual framework which integrates the contributions of many theorists and accommodates the use of the term in a variety of contexts. In addition, they propose that competencies are more than the essence of a national qualifications framework, or of corporate training programmes, as they are intimately linked to strategy with all its implications. Competency, therefore, is a central issue for managers seeking competitive advantage.
A competency-based review of professional quantity surveying is important for service excellence and has continuing relevance in the built environment of the 21st century. A survey of quantity surveyors in professional practice in South Africa has provided a new perspective on the relative importance of competencies required for current and future quantity surveying services, and revealed notable gaps between the important competencies and current proficiency levels among practitioners. The survey was based on a structured questionnaire reflecting 23 defined competencies, which were derived from the literature and from in-depth interviews with selected practitioners. The results indicated that technically orientated competencies were rated of highest importance for current services, while management orientated competencies were rated of higher importance for future services. The profession was rated as deploying below average proficiency levels in marketing, advanced financial management, leadership and general management, and project management, although these received high current and future importance ratings. The findings suggest that initial and continuing education and training of professional quantity surveyors should emphasize the development of management-orientated competencies.Competencies, ranking, quantity surveyors, South Africa,
This paper documents the resource consumption of the quality assurance program at St. Marys Hospital Medical Center, a 357-bed, community, acute care hospital located in Madison, WI. To date, little exists in the literature documenting the financial commitment of an institution to its quality assurance program. Furthermore, no standard with respect to appropriateness has been established, although 1% of the operating budget of an institution has been suggested. In 1986, St. Marys spent 0.6% of its operating budget on its quality assurance function. This calculates out to approximately $20 per admission. In addition, the medical staff and others contributed 1013 hr of time to the quality assurance program. It is important that institutions determine and document their resource commitment to the quality assurance function so that standards can be established and discussion with respect to appropriateness and efficiency can be stimulated. Finally, it is important to document this expenditure so that it can be contemplated in light of fiscal pressure and availability of service.
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