Strategic Trends in Management by Competencies: A Bibliometric Review

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to present a current and exhaustive analysis of the contributions and studies carried out by experts regarding strategic management by competencies as a result of a bibliometric review.
 
 Theoretical framework: Recent literature, in the last decade, has reported the increase of the need for companies to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage. So, this study about trends in management by competencies becomes essential to review all these works.
 
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The bibliometric study was conducted using the SCOPUS database, examining 624 publications from 1966 to 2023. The main findings of this review show that only in the 21st century did the idea of people management by competencies models stand out in the scientific and business scenario.
 
 Findings: The evidence shows that the concept of "management," present in 75% of the clusters found (high occurrence), strongly correlates with the theme of the people management model by competencies. The symbiosis between them can become one of the most important strengths (competitive differential) in a significantly changing business scenario.
 
 Research, Practical & Social implications: We suggest a future research agenda and highlight the contributions made to other leaders and human resource managers.
 
 Originality/Value: The bibliometric analysis allows us to identify that research has been carried out that contributed with elements to the models of competencies and their advances, in order to understand the model of competency management as an integrated and strategic system of evaluation and improvement of the organizations and/or people that compose it.