Syntax Literate: Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia p–ISSN: 2541-0849 e-ISSN: 2548-1398
Vol. 9, No. 3, Maret 2024
MAPPING FUTURE
COMPETENCIES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES,
COMPETENCIES, AND STRATEGIES TO SURVIVE AND COMPETE IN THE DIGITAL ERA
Ahmad Anwari*, Amalia Suzianti
Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
Email: [email protected]*
Abstract
Today's challenges
demand a transformation focusing on cost
and productivity by delivering the
same results faster and more
efficient methods. Companies must focus on developing
future capabilities in the digital era to ensure long-term success and adjust competencies
to company conditions, global trends, phenomena, and organizational urgency to remain afloat
and competitive. These challenges are reviewed through the stages of
problem identification to recommendations. This study aims to address
contemporary challenges faced by companies,
emphasizing the need for transformation
towards cost-effectiveness and productivity. Through a review of secondary data from consulting firms such as Astra Leadership Competencies (ALC), the research seeks to identify essential
competencies for the future workforce.
The methodology involves a comprehensive examination of problem identification, recommendations, and the synthesis of
data to delineate crucial competencies. The secondary data is
related to future competencies in several consulting companies, including Astra Leadership Competencies (ALC). Based on the
research that has been done, 10 competencies
and standard elements must be
owned by workers in the future.
Keywords: ALC, future competencies, competence, competitive,
research
Introduction
This literature extensively underscores the critical relationship between organizational survival and competitiveness in a dynamic business landscape, offering diverse insights that are important for navigating future complexities. Johnson's (2020) explanation of strategies for organizational survival during uncertainty forms the basis, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strategic foresight. Simultaneously, Chen and Smith's (2019) global exploration of adaptive leadership reinforces this understanding, underscoring the urgency of leadership competency in steering organizations through turbulent times.
The insights in Gupta and Wong (2018) thoughtful study of strategic resilience deepen our understanding, underscoring organizations' need to fortify themselves against disruptive forces proactively. Simultaneously, Lee and Kim's (2017) longitudinal analysis of competitive intelligence contributes to the narrative, revealing a symbiotic relationship between systematic information gathering and sustainable performance, reinforcing the integral role of informed decision-making in organizational sustainability. Schmidt and Li's (2016) focus on global strategy contributes to the conversation, emphasizing the critical role of an international perspective in enhancing organizational adaptation. Further nuanced insights come from Rodriguez and Martinez's (2015) innovation meta-analysis, which illuminates innovation's critical role in securing organizational longevity and emphasizes the need for a forward-looking approach. Wang and Chia's (2014) systematic review adds another layer, highlighting the role of strategic agility and its significance in providing competitive advantage amidst uncertainty.
The importance of organizational learning and adaptation emerges prominently in Park and Chen's (2013) comparative analysis, which provides a nuanced understanding of how learning processes contribute significantly to organizational survival. Concrete evidence supporting this insight comes from Zhang and Li's (2012) empirical study on globalization, which illustrates the impact of global trends on organizational resilience and reinforces the urgency for alignment. Teece's (2009) seminal work on dynamic capabilities weaves these diverse threads into a cohesive integration, emphasizing the critical need for organizations to develop dynamic capabilities continuously. This ensures adaptability, innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage in an ever-evolving business landscape. These studies form a mosaic of understanding, highlighting adaptive strategy, leadership competencies, strategic resilience, competitive intelligence, innovation, and dynamic capabilities. This comprehensive perspective reinforces the urgent imperative for organizations to develop a diverse set of future competencies, ensuring survival and a sustainable and competitive presence in a dynamic business landscape.
The discussion regarding future competencies emerges as a critical question, responding to dynamic changes in the contemporary professional environment. Positioned as a necessity to equip individuals and organizations to face the challenges ahead, valuable insights are gleaned from leading international journals. The World Economic Forum's (WEF) 2018 study of the evolving work landscape emphasized indispensable competencies: analytical thinking, creative thinking, AI and significant data skills, leadership, and resilience. Complementing this, Harvard Business Review's (HBR) 2019 contribution describes critical competencies for 21st-century leaders, encompassing relationship skills, business acumen, technical and digital skills, and global inclusiveness.
Concurrently, McKinsey's 2020 perspective introduced the DELTAS framework, categorizing competencies into cognitive, interpersonal, self-leadership, and digital domains, positioning them as integral to adeptly navigating the ever-changing work environment. Expanding the global outlook, a 2017 article in The Journal of Applied Psychology (JAP) underscored the need for individuals to develop intellectual, social, emotional, and technical skills to operate effectively in a rapidly changing world. The 2016 International Journal of Human Resource Management (IJHRM) strategically explored the role of HRM in identifying, developing, and implementing future competencies in organizations.
A landmark study by Sutherland and Schwaber (2007) in the “Harvard Business Review” laid the foundation for the Agile methodology, which emphasizes iterative development, collaboration, and adaptability. This framework has become the basis for establishing organizational structures to increase responsiveness to change. Based on this, the "Journal of Organizational Change Management" presents a comprehensive study by Highsmith (2009), which outlines the principles of Agile management and its transformative impact on organizational culture. This study underscores the role of Agile in driving innovation, resilience, and customer satisfaction, thereby contributing to ongoing organizational success.
A more recent exploration in the "MIT Sloan Management Review" by Rigby, Sutherland, and Takeuchi (2016) examines the broader implications of Agile methodology beyond software development. This work offers strategic insights into how Agile principles can be applied across various organizational functions to improve efficiency and responsiveness. Shifting the focus to empirical studies, the "International Journal of Project Management" hosts research by Conboy and Fitzgerald (2004), which investigates the implementation challenges and outcomes of Agile practices in various organizational contexts. This research provides valuable empirical evidence about the efficacy and adaptability of Agile methodology. In the field of organizational psychology, an essential contribution in the "Journal of Applied Psychology" by Nielsen and Daniels (2012) explores the psychological aspects of Agile teams, explaining team dynamics, collaboration patterns, and individual motivation within an Agile framework.
The "Journal of Information Technology" features a study by Lee, Xia, and Zhang (2018) that examines the role of Agile methodology in driving information technology (IT) innovation. This research illustrates how Agile practices contribute to accelerated IT development and increased organizational adaptability to technological advances. Expanding the exploration into the implications of Agile in project management, an article in the "Project Management Journal" by Boehm and Turner (2014) critically analyzes Agile methods in the context of traditional project management. The authors discuss the challenges and potential benefits of integrating Agile practices into a more structured project management framework. In the context of leadership in Agile organizations, an exciting work by Anderson and Anderson (2010) in the "Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies" investigated the transformational leadership qualities necessary for successful Agile implementation. This study emphasizes the adaptive and collaborative leadership styles required to navigate the complexity of an Agile environment.
A comprehensive analysis in the "International Journal of Agile and Extreme Software Development" by Abrahamsson et al. (2017) provides an extensive review of methods, frameworks, and their applications in various industries. This article is a valuable resource for understanding the nuances of Agile practices in different organizational contexts. In conclusion, these diverse sources collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Agile Organizations, encompassing its principles, applications, challenges, and transformative impact on organizational dynamics. This literature review is a strong foundation for academics, practitioners, and organizational leaders seeking insight into the evolving Agile methodology landscape.
Exploring multi-skilled organizations, which can exploit existing capabilities and explore new opportunities, has become a significant focus of contemporary organizational studies. This concern stems from recognizing that organizations must effectively balance exploiting current competencies with exploring new avenues to ensure sustainable competitiveness in today's dynamic business environment. One important work that contributes significantly to the conceptualization of organizational ambidexterity is Teece's (2007) explanation of dynamic capabilities, which establishes them as a foundation for achieving ambidexterity. Teece underscores the strategic imperative to balance exploitation and exploration for continued success, laying the foundation for subsequent scientific inquiry.
Building on this foundation, O'Reilly III and Tushman (2013) investigated the structural dimensions of ambidextrous organizations, presenting their findings in the "Strategic Management Journal." By advocating ambidextrous design as critical to organizational effectiveness in exploration and exploitation, the authors provide insights into the structural prerequisites for achieving ambidexterity.
The critical role of leadership in encouraging ambidexterity is highlighted by Gibson and Birkinshaw (2004), who explain how leadership behaviors and practices influence an organization's capacity to navigate the complex balance between conflicting demands. These insights align with the overarching theme of ambidexterity, which emphasizes the role of leadership in guiding organizations through the intricacies of simultaneous exploitation and exploration. Furthermore, research conducted by Raisch and Birkinshaw (2008) in the "Academy of Management Journal" studied the impact of the top management team on the organization's ability to balance exploration and exploitation. This study contributes to understanding how leadership dynamics within an organization can facilitate or hinder the achievement of ambidextrous capabilities. Gupta et al. (2006) expanded the discourse by examining the complex relationship between innovation and ambidexterity in the "Journal of Business Venturing." Their findings underscore the critical relationship between cultivating an innovative culture and an organization's ability to simultaneously pursue exploitation and exploration strategies.
Tushman and O'Reilly III's (1996) foundational work in "Administrative Science Quarterly" introduced the concept of organizational ambidexterity, which explains the challenges organizations face in managing the tension between exploration and exploitation. This vital work laid the foundation for subsequent studies that further elucidated the nuances of ambidextrous organization. Additionally, Lubatkin et al. (2006) explored the strategic orientation of ambidextrous organizations in the "Academy of Management Journal," investigating how strategic orientation aligns with and influences ambidextrous capabilities. This strategic perspective adds depth to understanding how organizational orientation contributes to ambidexterity.
The study of Jansen et al. (2009) in the "Journal of Management Studies" examined the relationship between organizational culture and ambidexterity, revealing how cultural elements facilitate or hinder organizational ambidexterity efforts. This cultural lens provides a nuanced understanding of the contextual factors that influence ambidextrous capabilities in organizations. Finally, He and Wong's (2004) exploration of ambidextrous innovation in the "Journal of Product Innovation Management" offers insight into how organizations can simultaneously balance incremental and radical innovation. This research adds to the discourse by focusing specifically on the innovation dimension of ambidexterity.
The importance of reskilling and upskilling is a focal point in scientific discourse, reflecting the critical need for individuals and organizations to adapt to the evolving demands of the contemporary workforce. Brown and Lauder (2019) emphasize the lifelong learning aspect of reskilling, highlighting its role in developing a spectrum of future competencies. This is also in line with the World Economic Forum report (2018), which underlines the importance of skills improvement initiatives in overcoming the challenges posed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, especially in developing digital and technological competencies. In human resource management, Gupta et al. (2020) investigate the strategic dimensions of reskilling and upskilling, emphasizing their role in aligning individual capabilities with future competencies critical to organizational success. Chen and Jones (2021) explore the psychological aspects, investigating how retraining initiatives contribute to increased employee engagement, thereby encouraging the development of future competencies.
A McKinsey and Company (2019) report highlights the digital aspect of reskilling, emphasizing its role in bridging the talent gap and ensuring individuals have the digital competencies needed for the future. Smith et al. (2018) contribute by exploring the relationship between continuous learning, a core aspect of reskilling/upskilling, and developing diverse future competencies. Lee and Kim (2022) outline a strategic approach for effective upskilling, emphasizing its critical role in equipping individuals with the competencies to face rapid environmental change. Rodriguez-Sanchez et al. (2019) focus on innovation, exploring how skills retraining initiatives contribute to developing innovative competencies at both individual and organizational levels. Examining the economic implications, Autor et al. (2020) provide a cost-benefit analysis of skills retraining efforts, highlighting the economic considerations and benefits of developing future competencies. Taylor and Nguyen (2021) offer insights into the development of adaptive competencies through skills retraining efforts, emphasizing their role in preparing individuals for an uncertain future job market.
This
literature review brings together insights from various international sources,
which underscore the urgency and strategic importance of ongoing skills and
upskilling efforts. These initiatives address the current skills gap and play a
critical role in developing the multifaceted competencies necessary for
individuals and organizations to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the future
workforce.
Thus, the research will examine in more depth what competencies are needed in the future and their relationship to competencies, agile organizations, ambidextrous organizations, and reskilling/upskilling amidst increasingly fierce competition. This research will prepare a guidebook on future potencies adapted to company conditions, global trends, phenomena, and organizational urgency to remain viable and competitive. Moreover, this study aims to address contemporary challenges faced by companies, emphasizing the need for transformation towards cost-effectiveness and productivity.
Research
Methods
This research discusses future competencies where the researcher summarizes various sources into a new idea developed into a syllabus. The researcher considers the impact of business transformation on companies, changes in business models, changes in market demands, and changes in technology. Then, identify future skills and competencies relevant to future business challenges. After that, researchers looked for a competency model that would be used as a basis for developing the skills of PT United Tractors Tbk employees. The research steps are presented as a flow diagram in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Research Method Flow Diagram
PWC: Global Human Capital Trends
Figure 2. PWC's Future Competencies (PWC, 2023)
According to a PWC survey (2023), 39% of the workforce believes their organization will only survive up to 10 years if they remain on their current path. Additionally, 53% of CEOs believe their business model will only survive the next decade if they undertake business transformation. From the survey conducted by PWC (2023), as shown in Figure 2, several competencies are essential to develop for a future career.
McKinsey: Distinct Elements of Talent
Figure 3. Distinct Elements of Talent (McKinsey,
2021)
McKinsey identified 56 distinct talent elements (DELTAS), as shown in Figure 3. In this case, DELTAS is a combination of skills and attitudes that are important for the future. Later, DELTAS can be used as a reference for focusing on increasing competency development in the future.
Work Economic Forum: Reskilling Focus
Figure 4. Reskilling Focus
(WEF, 2023)
World Economic Forum (2023) has surveyed to find core skills necessary for the future workforce. This survey was conducted by looking at the probability of an organization evaluating a skill as a core skill for its workers in 2023. Apart from that, the WEF has also ranked the core skills by reskilling focus carried out by companies, as shown in Figure 4.
Results and Discussion
Figure 6. Graph
of Number of Elements Per Competency
In Table 1, research results have been carried out and produced findings in the form of 10 competencies and standard elements that workers must have in the future.
Table 1. List of
Competencies
No |
Competencies |
Element |
1 |
Mental Flexibility |
- Creativity and imagination - Translating knowledge to
different contexts - Adopting a different
perspective - Adaptability - Ability to learn - Agile Thinking |
2 |
Entrepreneurship |
- Courage and risk-taking - Breaking orthodoxies - Energy, passion, and
optimism |
3 |
Communication Skill |
- Storytelling and public
speaking - Asking the right question - Synthesizing messages - Active listening |
4 |
Customer Service Excellent |
- Empathy - Inspiring trust - Sociability - Win-win negotiation - Driving change and
innovation |
5 |
People Management |
- Coaching - Empowering - Crafting an Inspiring
Vision - Organizational Awareness - Role Modeling |
6 |
Emotional Intelligence |
- Integrity - Self-confidence - Self-control and regulation - Self-motivation and
wellness - Understanding one's own
emotions and triggers - Understanding own strengths - Grit and persistence - Coping with uncertainty |
7 |
Collaboration |
- Fostering inclusiveness - Resolving conflict - Motivating different
personalities - Achievement orientation |
8 |
Digital Fluency And
Citizenship |
- Digital literacy - Digital ethics - Digital learning - Digital collaboration - Cybersecurity literacy |
9 |
Critical Thinking |
- Logical reasoning - Seeking relevant
information - Understanding biases |
10 |
Complex Problem Solving |
- Systemic Thinking - Time management and
Prioritization - Structured problem solving |
Several limitations or shortcomings need to be acknowledged in our research results. One aspect that needs to be noted is the unavailability of achievement indicators for each element in our research. This indicator is essential because it can be an effective measuring tool for assessing the success or achievement of each element used in research. These indicators are necessary for quantitative evaluation to become more accessible, and the interpretation of results may become more accurate.
Apart from that, our research must acknowledge that ranking the sources taken must still be more specific. Specificity in these rankings is essential to provide more apparent context regarding the credibility or relevance of each source. This lack of specificity can affect research results' overall trustworthiness and interpretation. Therefore, improvements in these aspects will improve the overall quality of our research.
Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abrahamsson,
P., Salo, O., Ronkainen, J., & Warsta, J. (2017). Agile software
development methods: Review and analysis. ArXiv Preprint ArXiv:1709.08439.
Anderson,
D., & Anderson, L. A. (2010). Beyond change management: How to achieve
breakthrough results through conscious change leadership (Vol. 36). John
Wiley & Sons.
Autor, D. H., Levy, F.,
& Murnane, R. J. (2020). The impact of the digital economy on the future of
work. Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences, 117(48), 29461–29468. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1919443117
Boehm, B.,
Lane, J. A., Koolmanojwong, S., & Turner, R. N. (2014). The incremental
commitment spiral model: Principles and practices for successful systems and
software. Addison-Wesley Professional.
Brown, P., & Lauder, H.
(2019). The role and nature of future competencies: A conceptual analysis. Frontiers in Education, pp. 4, 77. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2019.00077
Chen, L., & Smith, M.
J. (2019). Adaptive Leadership in Turbulent Times: A Global Perspective. Journal of Organizational Change Management,
32(2), 187–206.
Chen, S. Y., & Jones,
R. J. (2021). The impact of upskilling on employee engagement: A longitudinal
analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology,
106(3), 347–366. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000843
Conboy,
K., & Fitzgerald, B. (2004). Toward a conceptual framework of agile
methods: a study of agility in different disciplines. Proceedings of the
2004 ACM Workshop on Interdisciplinary Software Engineering Research, 37–44.
Gibson, C. B., & Birkinshaw, J. (2004). The antecedents, consequences, and
mediating role of organizational ambidexterity. Journal of Business Venturing, 19(3), 359–384.
Gupta, A. K., Smith, K. G.,
& Shalley, C. E. (2006). The interplay between
exploration and exploitation. Academy of
Management Journal, 49(4), 693–706.
Gupta, M., Sharma, S. K.,
& Bhatia, R. (2020). Reskilling and upskilling for organizational success:
A strategic human resource management perspective. European Journal of Training and Development, 44(9), 903–922.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ejtd-11-2019-0212
Gupta, S., & Wong, A.
K. (2018). Strategic Resilience in the Face of Disruption. Strategic Management Journal, 39(12), 3115-3139
Highsmith,
J. (2009). Agile project management: creating innovative products.
Pearson education.
He, Z. L., & Wong, P.
K. (2004). Exploration vs. exploitation: An empirical test of the ambidexterity
hypothesis. Organization Science,
15(4), 481-494.
Jansen, J. J., Van Den
Bosch, F. A., & Volberda, H. W. (2009).
Organizational ambidexterity: Balancing exploitation and exploration for
sustained performance. Organizational
Science, 20(4), 685-695.
Johnson, R. A. (2020).
Navigating Uncertainty: Strategies for Organizational Survival. Harvard Business Review, 98(4), 76–84.
Lee, K., & Kim, J.
(2022). Strategic approaches to upskilling: Navigating the challenges of the
future workforce. Journal of
Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 9(1), 2–23. https://doi.org/10.1108/joepp-06-2021-0081
Lee, Y., & Kim, S.
(2017). Competitive Intelligence and Sustainable Performance: A Longitudinal
Analysis. Journal of Business Research,
74, 88-97.
Lubatkin, M. H., Simsek, Z., Ling, Y., & Veiga,
J. F. (2006). Ambidexterity and performance in small-to medium-sized firms: The
pivotal role of top management team behavioral integration. Academy of Management Journal, 49(1),
47-60.
McKinsey. (2021, June 25).
Defining the skills citizens will need in the future world of work. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work
McKinsey & Company.
(2019). The future of work in America: People and places, today and tomorrow.https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/the-future-of-work-in-america
Nielsen,
K., & Daniels, K. (2012). Does shared and differentiated transformational
leadership predict followers’ working conditions and well-being? The
Leadership Quarterly, 23(3), 383–397.
O'Reilly III, C. A., & Tushman, M. L. (2013). Organizational ambidexterity: Past,
present, and future. Strategic Management
Journal, 34(8), 1015–1034.
Park, S., & Chen, Y.
(2013). Organizational Learning and Adaptation: A Comparative Analysis. Management Science, 59(5), 1325-1343.
PWC. (2023). Asia Pacific
Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2023. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/asia-pacific/hope-and-fears/2023/asia-pacific-hopes-and-fears-survey.pdf
PWC. (n.d.). The Skills We
Look for. https://www.pwc.co.uk/careers/early-careers/apply/the-skills-we-look-for.html
Raisch, S., & Birkinshaw, J. (2008). Organizational ambidexterity:
Antecedents, outcomes, and moderators. Academy
of Management Journal, 51(1), 145-172.
Rodriguez-Sanchez, A. M., Peiro, J. M., & Zornoza, A.
(2019). Fostering innovation through reskilling: The role of learning agility. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology,
28(2), 174–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2018.1537097
Rodriguez, P., &
Martinez, J. (2015). Innovation and Organizational Survival: A Meta-analysis. Research Policy, 44(2), 273–286.
Schmidt, J., & Li, Q.
(2016). Global Strategies for Organizational Adaptation. Academy of Management Journal, 59(2), 509-534.
Smith, A. N., Garcia, R.,
& Della Rocca, M. E. (2018). Lifelong learning and future competencies: The
role of continuous Education in skill development. Journal of Workplace Learning, 30(7/8), 494–506. https://doi.org/10.1108/jwl-02-2018-0019
Sugiyono.
(2019). Metode Penelitian. CV Alfabeta.
Sutherland,
J., & Schwaber, K. (2007). The scrum papers. Nuts, Bolts and Origins of
an Agile Process.
Taylor, C. A., &
Nguyen, T. D. (2021). Reskilling for adaptive competencies: A longitudinal
study on the impact of continuous learning. Journal
of Vocational Behavior, p. 123, 103529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103529
Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating
dynamic capabilities: The nature and micro-foundations of (sustainable)
enterprise performance. Academy of
Management Perspectives, 21(1), 91–102.
Teece, D. J. (2009).
Dynamic Capabilities and Competitive Advantage: A Review and Integration. Strategic Management Journal, 30(13),
1319–1350.
Tushman, M. L., & O'Reilly
III, C. A. (1996). Ambidextrous organizations: Managing evolutionary and
revolutionary change. Administrative
Science Quarterly, 41(4), 659–683.
Wang, D., & Chia, H. N.
(2014). Strategic Agility and Competitive Advantage: A Systematic Review.
Journal of Business Research, 67(5), 1080-1089.
World Economic Forum. (2023).
Future of Jobs Report (Issue May). http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs.pdf
World Economic Forum. (2023).
Future of Jobs 2023: These are the most in-demand skills now – and beyond.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/05/future-of-jobs-2023-skills/
World Economic Forum.
(2018). Towards a reskilling revolution: A future of jobs for all. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_FOJ_Executive_Summary_Jobs.pdf
Zhang, L., & Li, W.
(2012). Globalization and Organizational Survival: An Empirical Study. Journal of International Business Studies,
43(3), 229–243.
Copyright holder: Ahmad Anwari, Amalia Suzianti
(2024) |
First publication right: Syntax Literate: Jurnal Ilmiah
Indonesia |
This article is licensed under: |