Generic Competency Model: Business Graduate Key Competencies for Successful Working at Trading Companies - Case Study from the Czech Republic

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to create a generic competency model based on the entry-level positions’ requirements of human resource managers in trading companies operating in the Czech Republic. The proposed model should define an optimal set of key competencies that a competent graduate of business degree should have to be successful in specific selection processes for different graduate jobs in trading companies and thus be successful in performing job duties. Design/methodology/approach: The research question for this study was which key competencies business graduates need the most for entry-level positions in the field of trading and which ideal behavior is expected for such competencies. Within the questionnaire survey, the degree of significance of the defined key competencies was subsequently determined. The target population consisted of trading companies with 25 - 249 employees based and operating in the Czech Republic that are willing to hire fresh graduates for entry-level positions. The quantitative data was finally obtained from 419 companies. On the basis of the data analysis results, a generic competency model of a university graduate of business degree was created. Findings: The generic model developed on the basis of the data from trading companies consists of two parts. It defines an optimal set of 6 key competencies as well as the expected behavior that a competent business graduate should have to succeed in specific selection processes for various positions in trading companies that require university education, and subsequently, to be successful in performing jobs in the trade sector. Research limitations/implications: The research limitations are caused mainly by two factors: the company size and products that the trading company is (re)selling. Although specific key competencies can be rated as very important by two different recruiters in the questionnaire, requirements, and expectations of a small company operating in an extremely competitive environment may be significantly higher than in the case of company with large staff and an extensive customer base, or vice versa. Originality/value: The resulting competency model can make the selection process more transparent for both recruiters and job candidates because of established standards concerning desirable key competencies for such positions in trading companies. At the same time, this tool can be an acceleration and suitable starting point for more extensive implementation of the modern competency-based approach for economics and business degrees at universities.