Development of a Competency-Based Framework: an Empirical Study of Small Business Organisations

Development of a Competency-based Framework: An Empirical Study of Small Business Organisations in Fiji

*Tara Singh **R.D. Pathak ***Azhar Kazmi **** Bishnu Sharma *****Milé Terziovski * Tara Singh is Finance & Administration Manager, A2 Dairy Marketers Pty. Ltd., Gulf & Western Marketers Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, Australia. **R.D. Pathak is Professor & Head, Department of Management &Public Administration, The University of The South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. ***Azhar Kazmi is Professor of Business Administration at Aligarh Muslim University, India and presently on a teaching assignment with International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak 53100, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). **** Bishnu Sharma is Senior Lecturer in Management at Faculty of Business, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC QLD 4558, Australia *****Milé Terziovski is an Associate Professor and Director in the Centre for Global Innovation Management, The University of Melbourne, Carlton VIC 3010, Australia. Corresponding Author: RD Pathak, Professor& Head, Department of Management & Public Administration, the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji. Email: [email protected], Fax: 679-3309610, Phone: 679-3212489.

Abstract The study investigates the development and application of a competency-based framework in small businesses in Fiji. A survey approach was used in collecting the information for this study followed by face-to-face interviews with the owners/managers. Based on our findings, five strategies have been proposed for possible consideration by small businesses for the improvement of their performance. The study concludes that small business managers in Fiji need to become more strategically oriented; implement business performance measures, manage risk and uncertainty; implement more sophisticated systems and procedures and become more aware of regulatory stipulations. Keywords: strategy, small business, performance, manager, competency, framework

Tara Singh, R D Pathak, Azhar Kazmi, Bishnu Sharma and Mile Terziovski “An Empirical Study of Small Business Organizations in Fiji Using a Competency-based Framework” South Asian Journal of Management Volume 14 Issue 2 : April-June 2007 http://www.amdisa.org/journ142.html http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5483/is_200704/ai_n21295045/pg_21