The competence of top team members

Presents the research frame, methods and results of a study of top team competences in small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises sponsored by the Training and Employment Agency in Northern Ireland. Explores a “postulated” framework of competence using a modified version of repertory grid with 31 successful companies who have a working top team. The results confirmed the framework and give core competences at two linked levels: competence domains, areas of activity regarded as an important focus for performance excellence and competences, integrated sets of behaviour which can be directed towards successful goals achievement within competence domains. Validation of the results is given by the outcomes of follow‐up interviews and the comparison with other work. Holds that the results emphasize a radical insight into the notion of managerial competence in the smaller company.