Knowing, Doing and Being: Transferable Competencies for the Research Management Profession

ABSTRACT

While the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) Framework (2016) includes nine key 'technical' competency areas for respective RM organizational levels (administrative, management and leadership), it is the RM transferable skills that have been brought to the forefront in the current complex COVID-19 environment. For RMA, we contend that praxis, therefore, is activity-based development that through both routine actions and reflection shapes a 'change-making' enactment of the RMA profession better to perform its role in a dynamic world. The "domain theory" is thus praxis (Kemmis, 2010, p. 9), where we revisit the extant praxis architecture of Kemmis to "provide an alternative frame of reference to adjust or expand [praxis architecture's] conceptual scope" (Jakkola, 2020, p. 23). The PCF followed a project cycle that included a needs analysis, consultation with RMA professionals, action research methodologies, quality assurance, reporting, peer review and accountability to governance structures.