Opening up the black box of civil servants' competencies. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kruyen, Peter M.; Van Genugten, Marieke
• Is Part Of: Public management review. Volume 22:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Civil servants' competencies -- governance philosophies -- human resource management; Local government -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 351.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2019.1638442
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-9037

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Employees' competencies are key to understanding individual performance. In this article, we investigate which competencies are considered important in government using the results of a survey among civil servants. Respondents listed 248 competencies they deemed necessary for their current and future job. To some degree, these competencies can be linked to three major governance philosophies, traditional Public Administration, New Public Management, and New Public Governance, but several other meaningful clusters of competencies can be distinguished as well, including creativity-related competencies and self-development skills. Based on our results, we draw lesson for civil servants and public (human resource) managers.