The Impact of the Competency Concept on Higher Education

Abstract

　 During reforms in human resource management, the concept of competency was introduced into the world of work. The characteristics of competency are paying attention to the output or performance of workers and evaluating them according to a behavioral index. This paper examines the actual conditions of competency-based human resource development based on interviews with personnell managers. In these interviews, application of the concept of competency to employment and training is analyzed mainly with respect to its impact on higher education.

　 The concept of competency is still ambiguous, however it focuses on the application of knowledge. What competency suggests for higher education is that in addition to the knowledge and skills acquired as outputs of education, the application of knowledge and skills during the process of education is also important.

　 Competency is a mere tool in promoting good performance in the business world. However, in the university world, it may be possible that we consider knowledge and skills to be building blocks and to establish training for competency as our educational purpose. We should not be merely following the development of knowledge management in the business world, but maybe become aware of competency concepts and apply them to higher education as well.