DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPTUAL COMPETENCIES OF SRI LANKAN MANAGERS

Abstract

Though there have been several attempts in analyzing the effectiveness of training in Sri Lankan organizations, less focus has been made on conceptual competency development. As such, the emphasis given to conceptual competency development of senior managers in the Sri Lankan private sector was the focus of this research study. The objective of the study was to identify the factors that contribute to the development of conceptual competencies, and empirically verify the causal relationships of each such factor with the level of development of conceptual competencies. The research was carried out on a sample of 40 senior managers from private firms selected using the stratified random sample technique, and the selection criteria included corporate performance, accessibility, location and representation of all major functions. Mind power, synergy and creativity were selected to ascertain the contribution to the development of conceptual competencies. Data collection was done through a structured questionnaire followed by an exploratory (Unstructured) interview, with the authenticity being ensured by the researcher personally involving in the process. The validity and the reliability of the questionnaire developed by the researcher were also established. Three hypotheses were developed, tested and empirically verified. The first hypothesis was the: the "higher the focus on mind power techniques, the higher would be the level of conceptual competency development”. The second hypothesis was "the higher the focus on creativity techniques, the higher would be the level of conceptual competency development". The third hypothesis was that: “higher the focus on synergistic techniques, higher would be the level of conceptual competency development”. The method of data analysis involved the calculation of Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in relation to the selected concepts and associated variables. In analyzing the exploratory interview findings, three positive trends in relation to the conceptual competency development, viz, awareness of the need of each technique, value of each technique as a competitive advantage, novel solutions for pressing issues, could be seen. The impediments for conceptual competency development were also identified in this study.

Keywords: Conceptual competency, Creativity, Mind power, Synergy

For full Paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk