PurposeThis article presents an investigation of the suitability of using quantitative or qualitative data for individual competencies assessment. Specifically, the primary purpose of this article is to identify if the results provided by quantitative and qualitative instruments focused on individual competencies are convergent.Design/methodology/approachIn order to do the investigation proposed, a survey on individual competencies comprising a group of employees of the administrative area of a steel company was carried out. A total of 268 evaluations were collected and analyzed.FindingsThe analysis of the employee's performance appraisals provided by ratings and narrative comments indicates a low correlation between these assessments. The reasons for such low correlation include the qualitative assessments variability, the restricted list of competencies used in the quantitative assessments and the analytical format of quantitative assessments.Originality/valueThe study indicates that quantitative and qualitative assessments should be carried out jointly so that they can generate more comprehensive results. When the combined use is not possible, the quantitative approach is better suited for assessing performance, while the qualitative approach provides more valuable insights for boosting people development processes.

This paper presents a bibliometric study, which seeks to characterize papers that address competence-based management and that are indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases in terms of scientific production, collaboration, and impact. All the papers published in journals or in conference proceedings that contained the terms “competenc* management” or “compentenc* based management” in their titles, abstracts, or keywords were analyzed. The results show that computational sciences, human resources management, strategic management, and industrial relations and labor correspond to the macro-categories that characterize competence-based management. This paper also indicates that collaborations between authors do not establish strong co-authorship networks. It also shows that the most cited papers were published in journals of different areas. It concludes that studies conducted in the area of competence-based management can be developed in a more assertive way if they take into consideration the context of the current state of research in this area.

PurposeThis paper proposes a model composed by macro-competences developed to contribute for the resilience of public organizations.Design/methodology/approachTo propose the model, a literature review in the area of organizations resilience was carried out, and the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used. The setting used to validate the proposed model was the Brazilian Federal Institutions of Higher Education.FindingsThe results present five dimensions of action seen as macro-competences that contribute for organizations’ resilience: human resource management, development of individual competencies, risk management, preparedness for response, and responsiveness. The results also point at competences that can be developed in each of those dimensions with a view toward resilience.Practical implicationsCompetences of strategically planning the workforces, of testing the risk hypotheses continuously, and applying the action plans proposed by risk management in response to crises can improve individual and organizational resiliencies.Originality/valueGuided by the proposed model, public organizations will be better prepared to withstand adversities, such as resources cutbacks and staff shortages.

Apresenta um estudo cujo objetivo é identificar os elementos que caracterizam os serviços de referência virtual ofertados por bibliotecas nacionais e internacionais. Aponta as diferenças existentes entre os termos “biblioteca eletrônica”, “biblioteca digital” e “biblioteca virtual”. Destaca que foram analisados os serviços de referência virtual ofertados por cinco bibliotecas: a (i) Biblioteca Nacional de España; a (ii) Bibliothèque nationale de France; a (iii) University of Illinois at Chicago Library; a (iv) Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil; e a (v) Biblioteca de Ciências Jurídicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná. Retrata, a partir de um quadro comparativo, que todas as bibliotecas analisadas ofertam serviços de referência virtual que operam em modo assíncrono. Ressalta que apenas duas ofertam tais serviços em modo síncrono. Destaca que as bibliotecas brasileiras analisadas requerem uma série de informações a respeito de seus usuários. Conclui que “sincronicidade”, “prazo para resposta” e “informações dos usuários” são os elementos-chave a serem observados por bibliotecas que pretendem ofertar serviços de referência virtual.Palavras-chave: Serviços de biblioteca. Serviços de referência. Bibliotecas virtuais. Usuários.Link: http://periodicos.ufpb.br/ojs2/index.php/biblio/article/view/33353/17825

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the activities needed to meet specified requirements to assist laboratory staff running tests and calibrations and to obtain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Design/methodology/approach The relevant literature that contributes to establishing activities that help laboratory staff to obtain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation was studied. Laboratory researchers specializing in electro-medical equipment quality control were questioned about the criteria to be observed when selecting, developing and validating analytical steps. Findings Results revealed the analytical method criteria to be observed, which demonstrated their essentially quantitative nature. Originality/value This study presents a model that improves selecting, developing and validating analytical steps and contributes to producing reliable test and calibration results. These improvements can help laboratory testing and calibration to meet clients’ needs, satisfy specified requirements and provide reliable results.