are critical in a knowledge or innovation economy. The research produced
a theoretical model to conceptualize and summarize best practices
for technical talent management. The model can be used as a tool to help
HR practitioners more eff ectively source, develop, reward, and retain
technical talent.
Based on the literature review, this study was designed with the following
assumptions. First, organizations are characterized by political
and irrational elements, as well as rational and technical elements. The
model of this study focused on the rational and technical elements, but
that does not minimize the importance of the others. Second, if the most
important aspect of successful talent management is a strategic approach,
then as a strategic management activity, technical talent management
needs to be differentiated from managerial talent management, because
the literature shows that technical talent has diff erent requirements and
nuances. Th erefore, this study focused on technical talent instead of leadership
or managerial talent. For the purposes of this study, “technical
talent” is defi ned as the most talented technical and professional workers
who rely on professional judgment or specialized training to perform
their work. Third, similar to a general talent management model, most of
the research has been focused on the specific function of HR that failed to
provide a systemic and strategic management of technical talent.
Also, this study considered the management of technical talent as
a subset of knowledge management, focusing on the management of
people who possess the tacit knowledge of the organization. Th us, the
study defi ned technical talent management as “the process that focuses
on attracting, developing, and retaining the most talented technical and
professional workers and transferring their specialized knowledge to less
profi cient or less experienced workers” (Rothwell, 2011, p. 12).