Assessing the Relative Importance of Social and Professional Competencies for Career Advancement in Croatia
Assessing the Relative Importance of Social and Professional Competencies for Career Advancement in Croatia

Summary/Abstract: Research background: While there is existing research on the importance of employees’ social competencies, there is a need for further investigation into their specific impact on long-term employability and career advancement, especially in the context of different industries or cultural settings. Purpose: To evaluate and analyze the factors that contribute to career advancement in Croatia, with a specific focus on distinguishing between social competencies and professional competencies. Research methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional, research approach was adopted, using a selfadministrated questionnaire. The sample consisted of 113 HR or top management employees from all sectors. T-test, ANO VA and Cronbach’s alpha were utilized. Results: The results indicate that professional competencies are significantly more important for career advancement, but not for achieving long-term employability. Teamwork and Professional knowledge are equally important across all economic sectors. The results suggest that the opinions of top management and HR do not differ significantly regarding the assessment of the importance of individual competencies. Novelty: It lies in its comparative analysis of social versus professional competencies specifically within the Croatian labor market, offering insights that are tailored to Croatia’s unique cultural and economic context. It provides original data and findings on how these competencies influence career advancement across different sectors, addressing a gap in existing research focused on Croatia.

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