The Role of Human Capital Development in Building Competitive Advantage : (From The Micro-Firm perspective in the Irish ICT sector)

Tighe, Darragh (2013) The Role of Human Capital Development in Building Competitive Advantage : (From The Micro-Firm perspective in the Irish ICT sector). Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

Preview

PDF (Masters of Business Administration) Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the link between Human Capital Development (education and training) and Competitive Advantage in the micro firm operating in the ICT sector.

This study explores the links between HRM, the micro firm environment and culture, as well as exploring the entrepreneurial orientation of the owner / managers who operate them and the possible connection to competitive advantage.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with owner / managers working in the micro firm sector within the ICT sector, Industry and Government bodies, to explore the connections the connections between the economic climate, cultural environment and belief of those interviewed.

Micro Firms operating within the Irish ICT sector, Government Bodies and Industry partners were chosen with interviews taking place in their own working environment.

Three Owner / Managers and one Independent Industry and two Government supported directors working within and around the Irish SME and ICT sector. Participants were selected through using the EGFSN framework that was used to identify the sectors to pool the participants.

Data was collected from six participants using semi-structured interviews and analysis was conducted on the qualitative data resulting from these interviews and from the literature examined in the background research and the literature review.

Three themes emerged. A skills shortage in the ICT sector first reported in 2008 continues and a work ready issue regarding the skills and abilities of graduates leaving to work in the ICT sector. The final theme that emerged is a belief the HCD is a major contributor to CA in the micro firm environment. Two sub-themes are evident: The micro-firm learning environment, entrepreneurial orientation of the owner / manager of the micro firm as also being contributory factors to CA.

The findings show that those owner / managers who are orientated towards developing the Human Capital within their organization can provide their firm with a competitive advantage over those that do not. This statement must be considered in context as priorities of the micro firm can change rapidly in the ICT sector.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Competition > Competitive Advantage T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Training and Development
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Business Administration
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	21 Nov 2013 15:28
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2013 15:28
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/847

Actions (login required)

View Item