Developing a Competency Model for Human Resource Managers and Ranking Its Key Components: A Study in Governmental Organizations of Tehran
Keywords:
Competence of human resources managers, General management competence, Technical and professional competence, Behavioral competence, Mixed method, Content analysisAbstract
The study aimed to identify and design a competency model for human resource (HR) managers and to rank its key components within governmental organizations in Tehran. This research employed a mixed-method design. In the qualitative phase, content analysis and semi-structured interviews with 14 academic and executive HR experts were conducted and analyzed using Atlas.ti (interview reliability = 86.66%). A three-round Delphi technique validated the extracted indicators, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) ranked the ten most important components. In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling using SmartPLS-3 tested the model’s validity. The sample comprised 147 HR managers and experts from various governmental ministries in Tehran, selected through convenience sampling. Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.9 confirmed instrument reliability. Three main dimensions—general managerial competencies, technical and professional competencies, and behavioral competencies—were identified, encompassing 18 components and 48 indicators. The model showed a good fit (GOF = 0.590). Based on the AHP results, “Leadership and Guidance” received the highest ranking, while “Analytical Designer and Interpreter” had the lowest. The proposed model demonstrates that HR managers’ competencies are vital for organizational effectiveness in the public sector. The integrated structure of behavioral, technical, and managerial competencies provides a practical framework for recruitment, training, and development of HR managers. This model offers strategic value for enhancing managerial capability and institutional performance in Iran’s governmental organizations.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Vahid Ranjbar (Author); Mohammad Kheirandish (Corresponding author); Mohammad Rouhi Eisalou, Es-hagh Rasouli (Author)

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