Social and cognitive competencies in the semiconductor and medical device market : a theoretical overview of the concept of competency and a case study for engineers of Philips Enabling Technologies Group

Philips Enabling Technology Group in Almelo and Eindhoven wants to spread its activities over another market then the semiconductor market. The medical device market is considered to be an interesting market and Philips Medical Systems is approached as a potential partner. However, Philips Medical Systems concluded that Philips Enabling Technology Group is not the right partner yet, because they are not aware of the capabilities of its engineers and of the capabilities that potential clients demand. Previous research revealed that engineers of Philips Enabling Technology Group do possess the needed functional competencies to work in the medical device market, but that Philips Enabling Technology Group is not aware of the social and cognitive competencies of engineers. This thesis was focused on investigating what social and cognitive competencies engineers of Philips Enabling Technology Group need to possess in the semiconductor market and the medical device market. A competency is reflected in this research as the underlying attributes of behaviour.