Introducing a Model of Strategies of Developing Skills and Competencies of Knowledge Workers Based on Thinking Preferences: A Grounded Theory Approach

A requirement for the success of knowledge workers’ competence development plans is to take their thinking preferences into account. This research proposed a nature-based model of strategies of developing skills building and competencies of knowledge workers according to their preferred thinking style.

This was an applied, inductive, interpretative, and qualitative research conducted through the grounded theory. The participants of the research included 21 experts of Human Resource Management, selected by theoretical sampling. Data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’ Grounded Theory, through three stages of open, axial, and selective coding.

Aprocess modelhas introduced in which Skill building and competence development of knowledge workers is the central phenomena of this model. The causal factors includ the three categories of individual, social-environmental, and organizational-legal. The strategies consist of three categories of competence development, skill building, and personal development based on A, B, C, and D’s preferences. The intervening factors are three categories of cultural-organizational, personal attitude, and senior managers’ attitude. Moreover, considerations of development facilitating factors comprise the contextual factors of the model. Finally, the outcomes of the model include the three categories of personal, organizational, and social development.

Preparing and implementing plans for the development of competencies and skills of Knowledge workers based on their fourfold thinking preferences enhance the success and efficiency of these plans. For this purpose, competencies and skills related to each of these thinking preferences are identified and the actions necessary for their development are determined in this research.