DIGITAL LIBRARY
HIGHER EDUCATION COMPETENCIES BASED SYSTEM-INFLUENTIAL FACTORS
Babes Bolyai University, Faculty of Economics and Bussines Administration (ROMANIA)
About this paper:
Appears in: ICERI2012 Proceedings
Publication year: 2012
Pages: 6289-6298
ISBN: 978-84-616-0763-1
ISSN: 2340-1095
Conference name: 5th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
Dates: 19-21 November, 2012
Location: Madrid, Spain
Abstract:
The goal of this study is related to the assessment of the utility of competencies based higher education system highly debated in the current market expectations requirements that also comprise important items needed for adaptation to the demands of a reliable university training practice. Based on the employers perception assessment regarding the learning outcomes embodied in the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired by university graduates, the research aims of professional masters level and is customized to the field of business administration with further customization items of economic analysis and property evaluation.

Our study research design adapted the European framework at qualifications belonging to this domain and draw a list that included specific and general competencies that were further assessed through a questionnaire based survey. The sample consisted of 1048 companies selected based on an industry classification and probabilistic approach, namely consulting, economic analysis and business valuation covering four main historical counties of Romania.
Relying on statistical techniques for processing the survey collected data; the study highlights validated importance of competencies in the recruitment process and further in the adequacy contributing of the educational outputs to business expectations. In regarding of the educational portfolio, our respondents documented that although appreciate the need for professional or specific competencies, they require mostly those not correlated with punctual technical expertise or too thorough one. General competencies were also highly appreciated especially those related to communication and work in a team. By conducting a more thorough perception research our study examined various structural characteristics of companies comprised in the sample (e.g. company profile, geographical area, property classification type, size) in connection with general the general opinion regarding competencies and also based on a hierarchy approach for the general and specific competencies documented in the questionnaire. The results document perceptions discrepancies on specific regions of the country having the fact that some are attached to the idea of competence development approach, the majority of them being foreign-owned companies or large companies. Also we can document clusters appreciation differences regarding the two types of competencies and well as within each ones structure. As a main conclusion the competence-based education and economic development ampleness can be judged in terms of connectivity. Based on our opinion a suitable competence-based system can be developed taking into account the requirements of the market so that employers refrain from additional education. Finally, this educational system must be characterized by flexibility in order to be able to adapt to economic and cultural factors approached above.