It encompasses a combination of knowledge, skills and behavior utilised to improve performance.
More generally, competence is the state or quality of being adequately or well qualified, having the ability to perform a specific role.
Competence is the psychological need to exert a meaningful effect on one's environment.
It refers to the innate propensity to develop skill and ability, and to experience effectance in action.
Thus, competencies specify what individuals need to do and the behaviors they should undertake for certain activities, tasks, or roles to perform their professional responsibilities effectively (Schippmann et al., 2000).