Understanding Competence-based Management: Identifying and Managing Five Modes of Competence

This paper develops a taxonomy of five modes of competences that an organization must develop and maintain in its various activities to achieve overall competence. Each competence mode is distinguished by the specific forms of flexibility it brings to an organization to respond to the changing opportunities and threats in its environment. Each form of flexibility is in turn distinguished by the kinds of strategic options it creates for an organization. Key interrelationships among the five competence modes are identified, and important aspects of managing each of the competence modes and their interrelationships are discussed.