Proposing R&D Bridge Manager Competency Development Framework

With the increasing demand for global R&D collaboration to utilize knowledge resources around the world, a competency development framework (CDF) for managers who facilitate research collaboration between R&D teams in different countries is necessary for the managers to perform their jobs effectively and to improve the efficiency of utilizing global knowledge resources. This paper proposes a CDF for R&D bridge managers (BMs) who bridge R&D organizations in different countries. A CDF assists with designing professional development programs. The proposed framework is based on relevant literature and empirical studies. It defines competencies that would most likely help BMs enhance research collaboration in global R&D projects. This is similar to how the project manager competency development framework impacts the performance of a project manager. A workshop method is proposed as a competency development method for BMs. This paper presents the first R&D bridge manager competency development framework (BMCDF) for BMs who facilitate research collaboration in global R&D projects. The managers can use the BMCDF for their professional development, especially in the context of global R&D projects. organizations may use this framework as a guide for developing competency-based training programs for their R&D personnel.