Abstract:

Modern organizations’ achievement of objectives is strongly determined by the effective management of their resources. In the period of globalization and knowledge based economy, non-material resources, e.g. knowledge, know-how, information gathering skills, as well as competences of the company and individual employees, are decisive as far as the capacity to cope with organizational challenges is concerned. The literature of the subject offers several approaches to the typologies of managerial competences and their impact upon the management of the organization. It is notable that the effectiveness of managers’ actions directly translates into the effectiveness of the organization’s resources, and thus results achieved by it. As determinants and the character of managers’ work change, they are required to possess competences and attitudes facilitating organizational management. In the 21st century, characterized by rapid economic transformations, technological and IT progress, and global flow of information, products and people, the approach to companies’ operations changes as well. Successful forms of operation which hitherto focused upon the regional and national level have become insufficient. As a consequence, stronger and improved skills and competences of key employees, i.e. managers, are increasingly required.

The subject matter of the present paper pertains to the competences of managers representing medical devices sector. The literature describes the sector as one supporting the healthcare system. This is due to the fact that entities operating in it supply solutions critical for an effective achievement of objectives associated with healthcare of modern communities. The entities encompass businesses active in the production and/or trade of medical devices (products meeting the criteria of medical devices for European states defined in EU directives), e.g. tests and diagnostic equipment, medical appliances and supplies, disposables, etc. Apart from the international character of operation, the sector counts among the most innovative branches of industry worldwide. Its development is primarily determined by progress in medicine, but also by the increase in the incidence of diseases of affluence, population ageing, and emergence of new illnesses. Such premises will facilitate the development of the sector worldwide in the coming years. In addition, medical devices sector is not strictly associated with production or trade. Research and development, along with novel technologies, are also its core elements which enable new solutions to be implemented.

The present paper concerns the competences of the 21st century managers, with special focus upon those employed in medical devices sector. The objective of the paper is to develop a model of managerial competences of executives employed in the sector. Desk research was employed which encompassed available literature and reports pertaining to the sector. The paper offers directions of further empirical studies which may verify the competence model of managers representing the sector.

Keywords:

21st century competences, managerial competences, medical devices sector.