A human capital measurement scale

an article by Juarez Domingos Frasson Vidotto, Helio Aisenberg Ferenhof, Paulo Mauricio Selig and Rogerio Cid Bastos, (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil) published in Journal of Intellectual Capital Volume 18 Issue 2 (2017)

Abstract

Purpose
Despite the large number of academic publications in human capital, there are few instruments to measure it. The purpose of this paper is to develop a holistic scale to measure human capital, considering aspects related to competence, attitudes, skills, leadership, and organizational memory.

Design/methodology/approach
First, a literature review of the existing measurement models was carried out. Second, based on the results the authors developed a scale and a questionnaire that were applied in a financial institution in Santa Catarina, Brazil, supported by a factor analysis and a reliability analysis.

Findings
As a result of this study a scale consisting of 13 variables of human capital emerged that have been grouped into three factors – leadership and motivation; qualifications; and satisfaction and creativity – which can assist in the organization’s human capital measurement. From a theoretical view, a more holistic scale is provided, which helps to overcome a unilateral focus on knowledge (intangibles).

Research limitations/implications
This work points out that the survey data were collected from a sample of 220 relationship managers of a specific financial institution. The results should be tested in other banks or organizations from other sectors to check their suitability and to be generalized.

Practical implications
From a practical point of view, it contributes a “tool” that can assist in the measurement of human capital and in the knowledge contained, dimensioning the organizational memory and human repositories.

Originality/value
This is the first study that provides a scale to measure organizational human capital from the Brazilian financial perspective.

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Competencies for the Contemporary Career: Development and Preliminary Validation of the Career Competencies Questionnaire

an article by Jos Akkermans, Veerle Brenninkmeijer and Marthe Huibers (Utrecht University, The Netherlands) and Roland W. B. Blonk (Utrecht University, The Netherlands and TNO, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands) published in Journal of Career Development Volume 40 Number 3 (June 2013)

Abstract

A new and promising area of research has recently emerged in the field of career development: career competencies.

The present article provides a framework of career competencies that integrates several perspectives from the literature. The framework distinguishes between reflective, communicative, and behavioral career competencies.

Six career competencies are discerned:

• reflection on motivation,
• reflection on qualities,
• networking,
• self-profiling,
• work exploration, and
• career control.

Based on this framework, we developed the Career Competencies Questionnaire (CCQ) and preliminarily validated it in two samples of young employees between 16 and 30 years of age. The results provided initial support for the content, factorial, discriminant, and incremental validity of the CCQ.

We hope to stimulate further discussion, research, and development of interventions in the area of career development. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.

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