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Science and Technology Management and Innovation Management

Research on the Construction of a Competency Model for Leading  Talents in Scientific and Technological Innovation in Higher  Education Institutions 

Song Haojie, Wang Ruozhu

(Business School, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

Abstract: The selection, training, and evaluation of leading talents in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions have important reference value for optimizing  the management mechanism of scientific research talents in higher education institutions and  stimulating the vitality of scientific and technological innovation. This study comprehensively  uses qualitative research and quantitative research methods, based on the grounded theoretical  analysis of the interview data of leading talents in scientific and technological innovation in  higher education institutions. The empirical analysis of survey data from leading talents in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions extracts a theoretical model of  their competencies and accordingly develops a competency evaluation scale. It is found that the  competency of leading talents in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions is an eight-dimensional second-order model composed of knowledge novelty, knowledge  depth, problem-solving ability, resource control ability, strategic planning ability, team management ability, psychological resilience, and moral integrity. Knowledge depth and knowledge novelty correspond to the knowledge accumulation level and frontier sensitivity of leading talents in  scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions within specific domains, which are the essential premise and foundation of scientific and technological innovation activities; Problem solving ability, resource control ability, strategic planning ability and team management ability reflect the comprehensive ability of leading talents in scientific research breakthrough, factor integration, strategic promotion and organization and cooperation, which is  closely related to the implementation of scientific and technological innovation activities; Psychological resilience and moral integrity help to support the continuous investment of leading talents  in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions in the face of failure, competition and uncertainty, and are an important guarantee for the long-term promotion of scientific and technological innovation activities. On this basis, through exploratory factor analysis  and confirmatory factor analysis, this study constructs a competency evaluation scale of leading  talents in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions with 25 items. The test shows that the scale has good structural validity, aggregation validity, discrimination validity, and reliability, and can be used to identify and select leading talents in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions, which can significantly improve the scientificity and objectivity of talent evaluation. The research results provide effective theoretical support and operational practical tools for the scientific evaluation of the competency of leading talents in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions, and provide a  practical basis for the evaluation, selection, training, and encouragement of leading talents in scientific and technological innovation in higher education institutions, which is helpful to promote  scientific management in related fields. 

Key words: leading talents in scientific and technological innovation; competency; grounded  theory; factor analysis; talent evaluation in higher education institutions; knowledge endowment; professional quality; innovation capability