The competency of public managers: Competencies that characterize effective middle managers

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is identifying the competencies that are characteristic of effective middle managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was gathered in personal interviews, using the behavioral event interview technique, from the responses of 20 middle manages working for several public agencies in West Java Province, Indonesia. 12 were previously rated on work performance as superior and 8 were rated as average. 80 stories were obtained and examined in two ways – deductively coded using the National Civil Service Agency’s managerial competency dictionary and inductively to identify new themes through thematic analysis.

Findings

Competencies which may distinguish superior from average performers are achievement orientation, leadership, directiveness, persuasiveness and innovation. Competencies frequently cited in the stories of both average and superior performers are oral communication, organizing, information seeking, analytical thinking and planning; new competencies identified in thematic analysis which lead to effective management were adherence to laws and regulations, multi-stakeholder collaboration and technical competencies which includes human resource management, technology management and financial management.

Practical implications

For organizations to improve the performance of middle managers they should focus on the on the development of those competencies which distinguish superior from average middle managers and identification of these traits in the recruitment and promoting of employees.

Originality/value

This paper has an original approach as it fills a research gap in competency modeling for the middle management level in a public sector context.

Citation

(2019), "The competency of public managers: Competencies that characterize effective middle managers", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 38-40. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-10-2019-0238