The Competency Concept Revealed : Its Nature, Relevance, and Practice

Koopman, P.L. [Promotor]Muijen, J.J. van [Promotor]Hoogh, A.H.B. de [Copromotor

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of branched chain fatty acids and their esters : a study towards the production of enantiopure 4-methyloctanoic acid = Lipase-gekatalyseerde kinetische resolutie van vertakte vetzuren en hun esters : een studie naar de productie van enantiomeer zuiver 4-methyloctaanzuur

Flavors and fragrances make an important contribution to the taste and smell of all kinds of food products both as natural occurring components and as additional flavors or fragrances. One of these flavor components is 4-methyloctanoic acid (4-MOA). This branched chain fatty acid contributes to the characteristic smell and taste of mutton and sheep's cheese. The enantiomers of 4-MOA have a different smell and taste; it is therefore a challenge to separate both stereoisomers. One possible way of separation, which is designated as food-grade, is enzyme catalyzed kinetic resolution. Since the chiral center is positioned at theγ-carbon atom, a low enantioselectivity was expected. Therefore, sequential kinetic resolution (esterification followed by hydrolysis) was investigated. To find a suitable enzyme to catalyze these reactions, a group of 25 hydrolases was screened in the transesterification of 4-methyloctanoic acid methyl ester, resulting in the selection of Novozym 435 ® .This enzyme was used to esterify 4-MOA with polyethylene glycol (PEG, food grade). Unfortunately PEG appeared not to be suitable since no stable two-phase system could be formed, which was necessary for the continuous production of enantiomerically pure 4-MOA in a diffusion membrane reactor. Therefore, PEG was replaced by ethanol (food grade) in the esterification of 4-MOA. In this reaction, part of the substrate appeared to sorb into the polymer matrix of the immobilization material of Novozym 435 ® affecting the enantiomeric ratio estimation. Therefore correction for sorption was needed. The enantioselectivity of the enzyme was dependent on the alcohol concentration used, both for esterification (optimum E = 57 ± 11, obtained for the ratio 1:8 (mol fatty acid: mol EtOH)) and for hydrolysis (optimum E =12 ± 1, in the presence of 20% (v/v) EtOH). When combining these results, sequential kinetic resolution of 4-methyloctanoic acid will result in an enantiomeric ratio of approximately 350.Since integration of esterification and product separation resulted in a low enantiomeric ratio ( E = 15) in comparison with the batch reaction ( E = 57), and simulation and measurements showed no improvement of the eep , the batch reaction is recommended to obtain enantiopure 4-methyloctanoic acid.</p

Competenties en effectiviteit: Het perspectief van verschillende beoordelaars.

The competency based approach to human resource management has gained popularity. Despite this popularity, there is still no unequivocal answer to the question whether and, if so, which competencies are actually related to effectiveness when different rater sources are considered. Therefore, this study examines relationships between managerial competencies and perceived managerial effectiveness focusing on the perspectives of subordinates, peers, and supervisors using a 360-degree feedback inventory. Results revealed that different rater sources assess competencies and managerial effectiveness differently. That is, comparing ratings of different sources showed little to no similarity. Furthermore, within source competency ratings were found to be more similar than between source competency ratings. Overall, competencies appeared to be related to perceived managerial effectiveness. In addition, results showed that in the eyes of subordinates, peers, and supervisors, different competencies are considered predictors of perceived managerial effectiveness. The results are discussed and several potentially fruitful avenues for future research on the link between competencies and effectiveness are presented

Commitment, control and the use of competency management

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the commitment- and control-approaches on the use of competency management, and to investigate whether attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control mediate these effects. Design/methodology/approach - In Study 1, using a survey, employees indicated whether their organization adopted a commitment- or a control-approach towards competency management. Moreover, they rated their own attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and behaviour. In Study 2 a scenario experiment was conducted in which the authors manipulated the commitment- and control-approaches towards competency management in order to establish causal relations. Findings - Results consistently showed that the use of competency management is higher within a commitment- than within a control-approach. Furthermore, attitude and perceived behavioural control were found to mediate the relationship between the commitment-approach and the use of competency management. Research limitations/implications - Future research should include other organizational members, for example (line) managers, to create future insight in the effects of commitment- and control-approaches on the use of competency management. Practical implications - The results of the studies highlight that a commitment-oriented approach increases the use of competency management by employees and that a positive employee attitude and perceived behavioural control are of considerable importance when increasing the use of competency management is an organization’s primary goal. Originality/value - The paper gives insight in how to persuade and stimulate employees to use competency management more frequently

Competency Management: Balancing between commitment and control

This study investigated the relationships between commitment and control approaches and the use of competency management by adopting the theory of planned behavior. Questionnaires were filled out by 43 human resource experts working in different organizations. We expected components of the theory of planned behavior to mediate the relationship between commitment and control approaches and the use of competency management (behavior). Regression analysis showed that perceived behavioral control mediated the relation between commitment approach and behavior. Furthermore, the data revealed that attitude towards competency management was more positive and perceived behavioral control was higher when competency management was implemented with a commitment instead of a control approach. Subjective norm was strongly related to behavior. Based on the results, for competency management to be frequently used, we argue for increased behavioral control, and for an organizational climate in which competency management is widely accepted

Improving the use of research evidence in guideline development: 7. Deciding what evidence to include

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO), like many other organisations around the world, has recognised the need to use more rigorous processes to ensure that health care recommendations are informed by the best available research evidence. This is the seventh of a series of 16 reviews that have been prepared as background for advice from the WHO Advisory Committee on Health Research to WHO on how to achieve this. OBJECTIVES: We reviewed the literature on what constitutes "evidence" in guidelines and recommendations. METHODS: We searched PubMed and three databases of methodological studies for existing systematic reviews and relevant methodological research. We did not conduct systematic reviews ourselves. Our conclusions are based on the available evidence, consideration of what WHO and other organisations are doing and logical arguments. KEY QUESTION AND ANSWERS: We found several systematic reviews that compared the findings of observational studies with randomised trials, a systematic review of methods for evaluating bias in non-randomised trials and several descriptive studies of methods used in systematic reviews of population interventions and harmful effects. What types of evidence should be used to address different types of questions? • The most important type of evidence for informing global recommendations is evidence of the effects of the options (interventions or actions) that are considered in a recommendation. This evidence is essential, but not sufficient for making recommendations about what to do. Other types of required evidence are largely context specific. • The study designs to be included in a review should be dictated by the interventions and outcomes being considered. A decision about how broad a range of study designs to consider should be made in relationship to the characteristics of the interventions being considered, what evidence is available, and the time and resources available. • There is uncertainty regarding what study designs to include for some specific types of questions, particularly for questions regarding population interventions, harmful effects and interventions where there is only limited human evidence. • Decisions about the range of study designs to include should be made explicitly. • Great caution should be taken to avoid confusing a lack of evidence with evidence of no effect, and to acknowledge uncertainty. • Expert opinion is not a type of study design and should not be used as evidence. The evidence (experience or observations) that is the basis of expert opinions should be identified and appraised in a systematic and transparent way

Estas son algunas de las habilidades blandas demandadas en Colombia

Este producto forma parte de una serie de infografías de divulgación científica que buscan reseñar algunas de las investigaciones más importantes en las que ha tenido participación la Universidad EAFIT, publicadas en las revistas especializadas más prestigiosas del mund