CRUCIAL TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES IN THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT: CASE OF THE EUROPEAN SMES MANAGERS

Abstract

The paper aims to define the top of the crucial transversal competences for non-routine tasks in case of SMEs managers. The paper provides better perception of the content of transversal competences that are urgent for solving non-routine tasks. The article also introduces the results of the empirical research that has been performed in Lithuania, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Bulgaria, France and the United Kingdom. The empirical research has been performed while implementing Life Long Learning program Leonardo da Vinci Innovation transfer project “New non-routine skills via mobile game-based learning” (No. 509893-LLP-1-2010-1-SE-LEONARDO-LMP). 62 respondents from European SMEs whose activities are related to business services have been interviewed. Top 10 transversal competences for competitiveness have been indicated and grouped according to each country. The research indicated that competences urgent for managing non-routine tasks in fast-changing environment consist of two blocks: (1) competences required for process managing and (2) competences required for partnership and self-managing. There are cases related to the argumentation of the competences’ importance presented in the paper.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.19.1.5485