• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.35-56
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• 2017

Technology innovations have been accelerating changes across industries and intensifying competition. Enterprises are therefore required to continuously secure their internal and external competitiveness. Based on the principle that core competencies of a firm are essential to its competitiveness, many research studies have been conducted to figure out the effect of core competencies to business performance. However, individual research works considered a part of core competencies or limited to a specific industry, which means that their findings may differ when additional core competencies are included in their analysis. After re-establishing the definition of each core competency from literature review, this study comprehensively investigated the effect relationship among core competencies and business performance. Structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis with 421 survey respondents from various industries were conducted for our empirical study.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.535-547
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• 2014

This study analyzed the characteristics of National Science Curricula in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, and Korea with respect to core competencies. In the case of overseas countries, literature review on their curricula was conducted, and four common features were extracted: 'association of cross-curricular competencies with science-specific competencies', 'a combination of science contents and scientific practices', 'an emphasis on communication skills', and 'representation of an achievement level of competency'. In addition, the common core competencies of science education were 'critical thinking', 'creative thinking', 'problem solving', 'inquiry skills', 'communication skills', 'cultural literacy', 'ability to integrate discipline', 'application skills', and 'personal/social competency'. In relation to these features, this study also investigated Korean science teachers' perceptions of core competencies in science education. A survey was conducted on 135 teachers in elementary, middle, and high school in Korea. Teachers were not well aware of what core competencies are, and after introduction, they thought that they wanted to and needed to teach core competencies to their students. Teachers claimed that critical core competencies in science education are 'creative thinking', 'problem solving', and 'inquiry skills'. Teachers thought that core competencies-based science class would help develop students' scientific literacy and communication skills. However, they have difficulties in conducting core competencies-based science class because they are not familiar with how to conduct the class and they expect that it will take a long time to prepare such a class.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.63-73
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• 2018

This research aims to analyze core competencies of engineering students in Korea as well as to explore the application plans of extracurricular activities(hereafter, ECA) and programs in order to enhance their core competencies. Participation in ECA has long been recognized as having positive benefits and impacts upon students. To achieve the purpose of this study, first, we investigated whether there were differences between core competencies in undergraduates according to majors, gender and grades. 'Core competencies', first introduced in management theory as 'core competency' can be defined as personal attributes or underlining characteristics, capable of delivering a role or job. 'Core competencies' has received particular attention in recent years and there has been much related research (domestic and foreign) combined with diverse factors. However, few studies have addressed the question on engineering student's core competencies as well as the ways of their enhancement. This study was conducted with a total of 286 students, and core competencies have been measured online, through K-CESA. Our findings show that firstly, there were significant differences in undergraduate students' core competencies by majors. Engineering students scored significantly lower in core competencies overall. Second, there was no significant difference in students' core competencies by gender and grade. Third, there was a significant correlation among components of core competencies. Finally, there was a significant correlation between core competencies and grades(GPA, grades in major subject & liberal arts subject), rather levels in the correlation were low. Furthermore, the study suggested that the appropriate application of extracurricular activities would enhance core competencies of students.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.346-355
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• 2017

The 2015 revised national science curriculum encourages students to cultivate the science core competencies such as scientific thinking, science process skills, scientific problem-solving ability, scientific communication skill, scientific participation and lifelong learning ability. To fill this purpose, we practiced science writing classes based on core competencies and examined the effect of its application. The target unit was 'weather and our life', 'acid and base', 'speed of an object', and 'structure and function of our body' in the fifth grade of elementary school. The results were as follows. First, it was proven that science writing activities based on core competencies did not help improving science process skills of learners. Second, it had a significant effect on the improvement of the learner's self-directed learning ability, in particular, owner spirit, meta cognition and information search. Third, this strategy for science writing changed learners' scientific attitude positively. The above-mentioned results show that this science writing classes can be applicable as one of effective methods in cultivating science core competencies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.414-424
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was established to ascertain the requirements and implementation of core competencies for employees of the a workers' health center. Methods: The study consisted of a four-step process: a literature review, focus group interviews, expert opinions, and a questionnaire. The survey was conducted online among 119 employees of the National Workers' Health Center. Results: As a result of the research, eleven core competencies and 37 sub-competencies were derived in three areas: Competence as a social worker, competence to perform duties, and competence for maintaining expertise. The key demands for core competencies were "health consultation" and "understanding of small businesses.". They responded that they needed to "maintain an ethical attitude" and "consult on workers' health.". The largest score difference between core competency requirements and competency implementation was "collaboration with the community.". Conclusions: It is necessary to increase competencies not only for competencies with high core requirements, but also for relatively low competencies. In addition, efforts should be made to improve the core competencies of the employees of the Workers' Health Center to effectively respond to changes in the industrial structure and crises such as COVID-19.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.271-280
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of chemistry program based on metacognitive learning strategies using realistic contents on prospective teachers' creative thinking skills and science core competencies, and their perception. In particular, it was intended to further improve the effectiveness of the program by introducing a strategy to strengthen metacognition. Participants were classified into the experimental group subject to the newly developed chemistry curriculum and traditional group subject to general programs that exclude realistic contents and metacognitive strategies. Both groups were surveyed before and after the application of the program to measure the degree of change in metacognitive competencies, creative thinking competencies, and science core competencies. It also analyzed the impact of metacognitive competencies and science core competencies on creativity thinking competencies. As a result of the study, relevance and rationality among sub-factors of metacognitive competencies and creative thinking competencies of the experimental group were improved, and all sub-factors except for scientific participation and lifelong learning ability among science core competencies were significantly improved. In addition, it was found that metacognitive knowledge among metacognitive competencies, scientific inquiry ability and scientific thinking ability among science core competencies affect creative thinking competencies. Through the results, it was suggested that realistic content that incorporates metacognitive learning strategies is needed to improve creative thinking competencies, and learning models and programs that can utilize them are needed.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.3-20
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• 2021

As we have become more interested in 'competency' that means ability to do something around the world, the competency of the best performers has also been introduced in the university curriculum as a concept of core competency. Research continues on why this competency-based education is needed compared to existing academic-oriented education, how it can be introduced into existing curricula, and how it can be developed and evaluated in detail. This study develops and validates core competency assessment tools that can diagnose core competencies of engineering students. Therefore, this research paper conducted a literature review related to core competencies and also core competency assessment tools of university students. It seeks to explore the implications of core competency assessment tools for engineering students and then lay the foundation for competency-based teaching and learning at engineering colleges. And also it defines the concepts of core competencies and each core competency of engineering students through prior research analysis of competence, core competence, and core competence of university students. The primary core competency assessment tool consisted of sub-factors and questions of core competencies. It were modified through the expert validation of the primary one and then it was used as a core competency assessment tools for preliminary investigation. The core competency assessment tools for engineering students are consisted of 6 competencies, 22 sub-factors, and 91 questions. There are core competencies as follows: engineering basic competencies, major engineering competencies, self-management competencies, communication competencies, interpersonal competencies, global competencies. The preliminary survey was conducted on 426 engineering students attending the Engineering Education FESTA 2019. The preliminary findings were derived by conducting exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, question characteristics analysis, and reliability analysis for validation. The core competency assessment tools developed through this study can be used to verify the effectiveness of the curriculum and programs for students at engineering colleges. In addition, the developed core competencies, sub-factors, and questions can be utilized in a series of courses that design, conduct, and evaluate engineering curricula and programs as competency-based curriculum. The significance of this study is to lay the groundwork for providing competency-based education engineering students to develop core competencies.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.77-84
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• 2018

Purpose - The aim of this study was to analyze the educational needs of distribution company salespeople in core competencies for convergence and their general perception of convergence education. Furthermore, this study provides basic data on core competencies for convergence needed by them. Research design, data, and methodology - A survey was conducted on 104 distribution company salespeople who worked near Seoul, Korea to analyze the perceptions of their educational needs in core competencies for convergence education, according to their socio-demographic characteristics. The socio-demographic characteristics were gender, age, workplace size, education background, work experience and business category. The questionnaire consisted of demographic factors (7 questions), general perception of convergence education (5 questions), perception of importance of core competency for distribution company salespeople (9 questions), and current perception of distribution company salespeople on core competency of convergence workers (9 questions). Park et al.(2014)'s categorization of convergence core competencies was used: Cognitive convergence (creative thinking, critical thinking and understanding of convergence knowledge), convergence performance (problem solving, communications, collaboration and application of convergence tools) and attitude toward convergence (empathy and responsibility). Data was collected through an independent sample of t-tests and a one-way analysis of variance and the Borich Needs Assessment Model was used to identify the educational needs of distribution company salespeople in the core competencies of convergence education. Results- The results show that the subjects recognized the need for convergence education to be high among the general perceptions. The perception scores for workers of different backgrounds only varied according to the size of the business. Moreover, the results of the educational needs analysis and the ranks of the required core competencies of convergence workers by the subjects were as follows: 1. convergence knowledge understanding competency, 2. creative thinking competency, 3. convergence tool application competency, 3. communications competency, 4. problem solving competency, 5. collaboration competency, 6. critical thinking competency, 7. empathy competency, 8. responsibility competency. Conclusions - This study highlights the necessity of developing university curriculum that can nurture the core competencies of conversion education reflecting distribution company salespeople's requests as well as cultivating qualified convergence workers required by distribution company workers.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.35-50
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to identify the core competencies of graduate students at A research university in the context of graduate education in science and engineering, and to develop and validate a diagnostic tool to measure them. To achieve the research objectives, first, 6 factors and 18 sub-competencies of core competencies were derived based on a review of domestic and foreign studies, cases of excellent research-centered overseas universities, and interviews with members of A University. Second, a theoretical model was constructed by deriving behavioral indicators based on the core competencies and sub-competencies, and a preliminary survey was conducted on 188 graduate students of University A to verify the statistical validity of the theoretical model. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the core competencies of graduate students at A research university consisted of 6 factors, 16 sub-competencies, and 77 items. Specifically, it included "Independent research capability(13 items)", "Social Entrepreneurship(10 items)", "Academic agility(15 items)", "Ingenious Challenges(15 items)", "Collegial Collaboration(9 items)", and "Mueunjae leadership(15 items)". This study contributes to the development of theories related to core competencies of graduate students in science and engineering, and has practical significance as a basis for a data-driven competency-based graduate education system.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.426-441
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was getting the information for successful application to the national curriculum and students' core competencies enhancement, through investigation about competencies discussed in 2015 revised national curriculum development process and analysis about perception of 150 elementary school teachers in study. The results were as follows : Communication skill is considered to be the most important. Thinking ability what has been important traditionally is the middle of the rankings. Elementary school teachers think that a competency is specific to a subject. From this point of view, Creative/Scientific Problem-Solving Ability is the most important in science. They think that the enhancing of the ability of inquiry performance is highlighted in current science class. On elementary school teachers' awareness, inquiry model is the most effective in enhancing of scientific thinking and the ability of inquiry performance. And STS instruction model is in the other. PBL learning model and experimental inquiry model is the most effective in enhancing a competency has the highest feasibility like scientific thinking or the ability of inquiry performance.