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Core competence

A core competence is an important organisational capability combining knowledge, skills, processes or relationships that supports customer value and competitive advantage. It is not simply every activity done well or a single employee’s skill. Evaluate relevance, distinctiveness and the difficulty of replicating it, and consider whether it can adapt to new conditions. Performance and investment choices should protect and develop capabilities central to the strategy.

Worked example

A specialist service combines diagnostic expertise, trusted customer relationships and rapid scheduling in a capability competitors find hard to copy.

Common mistake

Outsourcing a seemingly expensive activity may weaken a capability on which the organisation’s differentiation depends.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA APM Supporting September 2026–June 2027
ACCA SBL Direct September 2026–June 2027