The article presents a conceptual model of effective school leadership which is based on the experience and knowledge gained from research work done with high-performing principals in the Jamaican school system. The basic and underlying premise is that to understand how leadership works, it is essential to explore the dimensions, components, and…

In general management theory, the choosing of a nominee for a job based on their current and typically exceptional performance within a given occupation rather than on qualifications for an intended position is referred to as "The Peter Principle" (Peter and Hull, 1969). If an incumbent is incapable of performing at the anticipated level…

The preceding article (Clarke, 2010) examines an important and interesting question; that is, under what conditions can learning contribute to the development of emotional intelligence (EI)? Despite the controversy surrounding the definition and construct of EI, its prevalence for the human resources development (HRD) field and its implications…

Intuition usually is defined as the capability to act or decide appropriately without deliberately and consciously balancing alternatives, without following a certain rule or routine, and possibly without awareness (Gigerenzer, 2007; Hogarth, 2001; Klein, 2003; Myers, 2002). It allows action which is quick (e.g. reaction to a challenging…

Contemporary work-related education and training policy represents occupational competence as the outcome of individual performance at work. This paper presents a critique of this neo-liberal assumption, arguing that in many cases competence should be regarded as an attribute of groups, teams and communities. It proposes a theory of collective…

Outlines the method developed by the Standards Development Program (United Kingdom) and used by the Employment Department to define, measure, and improve competence in the work force. Discusses functional analysis and how it defines the standards of occupational competence, elements of competence, performance criteria, range statements; and…

Discussion of how to establish and sustain high levels of employee performance focuses on the concept of pairing employee with mentors who can transfer experience, skills, and work behaviors to ignite motivation to upgrade competencies and sustain higher levels of performance. Compares informal and facilitated mentoring relevant to key success…

Describes the development of a staff evaluation method for a West African diesel power plant extension, focusing on project constraints, individual job performance, maintenance staff group performance, unscheduled emergency exercises, unplanned shutdowns and other critical incidents, and observation of staff behavior during shifts. Outlines staff…

Development and validation of a statement of professional competencies for practicing pharmacists in British Columbia (Canada) are described. The resulting 12 weighted general competency statements were designed to serve as a blueprint for constructing and validating instruments to assess practicing pharmacists' continuing competence. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the role of knowledge in supporting attainment and assessment of outcomes in light of occupational standards set by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications. Topics addressed include competent performance; tacit knowledge; paradigms for interpreting knowledge bases; static knowledge; metacognition; and the role of knowledge in…

Worldwide interest in work and learning is generating a large volume of disparate disconnected studies which can help improve the understanding of both work and learning as separate domains, but which lack an overall perspective. This paper proposes the outline of a conceptual framework for relating work and learning by an individual worker as a…

Discusses the International Atomic Energy Agency's definition of competence for nuclear power plant operations personnel, how competence can be identified with intellectual, physical, and psychological attributes, how levels of competence are determined, how education, training, and experience establish competence, objectives and costs of training…

Describes the ideas and principles involved in the Management Charter Initiative work on management competence in the United Kingdom. Occupational standards and the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are discussed; units of performance and performance criteria are described; and personal competence and developing competence are considered.…

The transition from student to expert professional can be accelerated when a trajectory for change is plotted and made visible to learners. Trajectories or paths toward expertise are domain specific and must first be documented and then used within instructional contexts to promote knowledge transitions. This article describes how models of…

People vary considerably in their work performance as well as their overall approach to work. At one extreme are the outstanding performers, who approach work with enthusiasm and energy, and, at the other extreme, are those who seem to do only what is necessary to get by. Organizatins often invest a good deal of energy in trying to improve the…