The role of core competencies in improving the performance of production processes: An analytical study in a vegetable oil company in Iraq

• دكتورة دلال السعيدي

  الجامعة التقنية الوسطى ـ المعهد الطبي المنصور

  Author

This research aims to examine the impact of core capabilities in their four dimensions (technical, human, organizational, and logistical) on improving the performance of production processes in their four dimensions (speed, quality, process flexibility, and cost control) at a vegetable oil company in Iraq. It also aims to determine the availability of core capabilities, measure the current performance level of production processes, and provide practical recommendations to enhance these capabilities to achieve higher production efficiency. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, and data was collected using a questionnaire as the primary instrument. The questionnaire was distributed to a stratified random sample of 100 employees from middle and lower management and production process supervisors at the company under study statistical methods, including the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and multiple linear regression, using the SPSS V.28 statistical software. The results showed that the overall level of availability of core capabilities was moderate (3.59 out of 5), with human capabilities ranking first (3.82), followed by technical capabilities (3.56), organizational capabilities (3.54), and finally logistical capabilities (3.43). The results also showed that the overall level of production process performance was moderate as well (3.41 out of 5), with quality ranking first (3.61), followed by speed (3.42), process flexibility (3.32), and finally cost control (3.29). The study concluded that core capabilities are a key and powerful determinant for improving the performance of production processes in the company under investigation, with human capabilities representing the most prominent strength, while logistical and organizational capabilities represent the greatest weaknesses requiring urgent intervention. It further concluded that a balanced improvement of the four dimensions of core capabilities is the path to achieving higher production efficiency and a sustainable competitive advantage. The researcher recommended the urgent need to invest in enhancing logistical capabilities through the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, improving information integration between production, logistics, and procurement, increasing the flexibility of the organizational structure and delegation of authority, and investing in the infrastructure for digital transformation in preparation for implementing the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.. With the continued enhancement of human capabilities through ongoing training programs, knowledge transfer, and internal leadership development, He also recommended conducting future studies to test the applicability of the model to other industrial sectors.

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