Global managers' career competencies

Purpose – This study aims to empirically examine the career competencies of global managers having world‐wide coordination responsibility: knowing‐why, knowing‐how and knowing‐whom career competencies. Design/methodology/approach – Based on in‐depth interviews with 45 global managers, the paper analyzes career stories from a content analysis approach. Data were collected in three organizations operating in a transnational environment. Findings – Knowing‐why competencies sought for in the position of global manager relate to work‐life balance, international exposure, professional identification, center of decision making, career progression and search for challenge. The knowing‐how competencies developed from the position of global manager relate to operational skills and general business understanding. In terms of knowing‐whom competencies, the findings indicate that respondents used their professional networks and personal networks to obtain the position of global manager. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited by its reliance on global managers' career stories and the restriction of the sample to global managers working at headquarters. Practical implications – The study concludes by discussing managerial implications that match the findings in terms of the three career competencies. Originality/value – The study suggests that global managers' career competencies act as motivators, outcomes as well as means to make career moves. It also indicates the primacy of knowing‐why competencies in global managers' career capital.