Core competency management in R&D organizations

An attempt is made to assist managers responsible for core competency development in R&D organizations in understanding the issues around this responsibility. The benefits of managing an R&D organization through the development of its core competencies are described. The author provides an operational definition for core competency, and compares the management of a portfolio of core competencies with the management of a portfolio of end products in an R&D organization. A management method based on core competency ownership, where individuals are empowered to develop the organization´s core competencies, is proposed