Preventing Workplace Problems through Competency Based Management
This chapter discusses the basic characteristics of competency based management (CBM) and how it differs from unsupported use of managerial wisdom. It also provides arguments for and against the use of best evidence and notes that the positive arguments outweigh the negatives. Nonetheless, there are some concerns about the use of best evidence in management. These include the lack of well done studies showing that competency based management is superior to less research oriented approaches and the resistance of managers to use research findings as a management tool. Managers often make the argument that every work situation is different and generalizing from studies to a specific workplace or a specific worker will lead to serious mistakes. A case example is provided to show how managers can use CBM in their own practice with common managerial problems that, left unresolved, may morph into serious problems for workers, individually and collectively.