Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Kenneth Sherman

Abstract

Leaders of geospatial organizations are ill-prepared to manage rapid technological change critical to environmental and economic development due to an outdated list of technical competencies. However, there is a lack of consensus in the geospatial industry concerning the desired technical competencies of organizations and a gap in the literature regarding future trends when defining additional geospatial technical competencies. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative modified Delphi study was to determine how a nationwide panel of experts in the geospatial industry viewed the desirability and practicability of forward-looking technical competencies of geospatial professionals. The research questions for this study were grounded by the interrelated elements of talent management theory and system theory. Through 3 rounds of surveys, 42 experts shared their views and suggestions based upon a predetermined list of categories and associated technical competencies. Frequencies and median scores were calculated using Likert-type scales of desirability and practicability for each technical competency to determine levels of consensus. Consensus-based findings included a final list of 54 forward-looking desirable and practicable technical competencies in 7 categories. This study may contribute to positive social change by providing geospatial organizations and talent managers with a consensus-based list of technical competencies to improve hiring strategies and develop training and reskilling programs for addressing future trends and technological advancements in the geospatial industry. Study results may also impact government policies and strategies to help preserve national security and promote economic growth and global diplomacy through informed decision making.

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