A competency framework for strategic planning managers in multi-business holding organisations

Abstract Nowadays, the business environment is dynamic and constantly changing, which intensifies competition among companies. The complexity of competition in multi-business holding companies is higher than in other organisations due to the complexities of different industries and their uncertainties in terms of investment policies and corporate strategies. Such companies need a strategic plan to align business requirements with their various functions. In this regard, strategic planning managers (SPMs) have a significant role in analysing possible business scenarios and putting optimal plans in place to guarantee their implementation in a specific timeline. This study aims to identify and discuss the necessary competencies and capabilities of this cohort of managers. In the present article, a qualitative approach was adopted, and the findings are based on observations in a case study multi-discipline holding organisation. The viewpoints of the key managers were obtained, and a competency framework was developed. The results indicate that the professional competencies of SPMs can be explained in terms of the two aspects of (1) strategy formulation and (2) strategy implementation. A framework is presented in this paper that summarises the viewpoints of managers in the case study organisation on the requisite competencies of SPMs. Although prior studies explain the general competencies of managers from a universal perspective, this study steps beyond the borders of such models and extends the literature on the professional competencies of a specific and most influential cohort of business managers in holding organisations through an in-depth case study.