Competency models are no silver bullet for solving health-care managers’ challenges. Perspectives from frontline managers in municipality health care
Ingrid Marie Leikvoll Oskarsson, Tonje HungnesPurpose
This study aims to explore how frontline managers (FLMs) in Norwegian municipal health care perceive the relevance and practical usefulness of the management competency assessment partnership (MCAP) competency model. While competency models are widely promoted to strengthen health-care management and leadership, fewer studies have examined how such models are experienced by FLMs who work under considerable operational and contextual constraints.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study was conducted using three focus group discussions with 14 FLMs from three Norwegian municipalities. Before discussions, participants completed the MCAP questionnaire and reflected individually on its strengths, limitations and relevance. Data were analysed inductively using qualitative content analysis.
Findings
The analysis revealed two interrelated findings. First, FLM perceived MCAP as a relevant and comprehensive model that reflected the formal expectations for their role. Second, they questioned its practical usefulness when considered in relation to everyday work. Large spans of control, broad task scope, time pressure and limited room for manoeuvre constrained managers’ opportunities to develop, prioritise or enact several competencies. This was particularly consequential for interpersonal communication and change management, which were highlighted as the most important competencies by the informants.
Originality/value
This study contributes a conceptual lens for interpreting competency models as espoused theories and contrasting them with the theories-in-use that managers develop to meet everyday operational demands. It shows that competency mapping alone is no silver bullet for strengthening management. Effective competency development requires organisational conditions that enable FLMs to enact and sustain the competencies that models such as MCAP define.