Forecasting core competencies in an R&D environment

This study, carried out in 1998, aimed to develop a method of forecasting c ore competencies in an agricultural research organization, using the Delphi Technique. First, based on a survey of internal documents and interviews, nine organizational core competencies and their specific components (human competencies) were defined, and expert judges identified. These judges resp onded to a questionnaire, in which the importance of the future human compe tencies was assessed and the organization's existing human capacity was eva luated. Means were calculated for both judgements and changes were made in various definitions, based on the experts' comments. Another questionnaire was designed and sent out to an expanded panel of judges to confirm or to r evise the priority mean scores obtained or to add scores in the case of com petencies that entered later. Factor analysis and reliability scores have d emonstrated internal and inter-competency consistencies. Technological Inno vation Management and Geo-processing appeared as the top priorities and Pla nt Pathology as the least priority. Priorities for each human competency we re also calculated and they have been helpful for decision-making concernin g the selection and graduate training of researchers on the organization st udied.