Performance Management System for First-Line Chemical Engineers in Indian Process Industries: An Empirical Examination of Attitude and Aptitude Dimensions Towards Establishment of an Integrated Competency Framework
Abstract: This study identifies and validates the attitude and aptitude competencies that experienced managers consider critical for the on-the-job performance and managerial development of first-line Chemical Engineers in the Indian chemical process industries. Drawing on survey data from 100 senior managers with experience ranging from 5 to 50 years in managing chemical engineers and process operations in Southern India, the study employs Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Cronbach's Alpha reliability analysis, one-sample t-tests, and the Friedman test to examine 20 competency factors across two dimensions. The attitude dimension yielded three underlying factors- Personal Growth and Engagement, Work Orientation and Discipline, and Leadership and Interpersonal Effectiveness- explaining 74.26% of total variance. The aptitude dimension yielded four factors- Managerial and Operational Capability, Engineering Systems Orientation, Technical Foundation, and Analytical Competence- explaining 78.5% of variance. All attitude factors and eight of ten aptitude factors were rated significantly above the scale midpoint (p
Keywords: Competency Framework; Chemical Process Industries; Attitude; Aptitude; Exploratory Factor Analysis; Managerial Development; India
How to Cite?: S. Ramakrishnan, Dr. M. Arul, "Performance Management System for First-Line Chemical Engineers in Indian Process Industries: An Empirical Examination of Attitude and Aptitude Dimensions Towards Establishment of an Integrated Competency Framework", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 296-305, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261004153014, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261004153014