This article accompanies Evolving Expertise.

This latest data set used for the 2012 Human Resource Competency Study, as with the researchers' previous work, is made possible through a unique partnership with many leading HR professional associations.

This round includes the active participation of HR colleagues in Australia (AHRI), Latin America (IAE), China (51Job), India (NHRD), Middle East (ASHRM), Northern Europe (HR Norge) and South Africa (IPM).

With their support, and the active involvement of RBL Institute members and the University of Michigan, the researchers collected global data from more than 20,000 respondents and 650 organizations.

These data come from line managers and HR and non-HR associates who rated HR professionals on 139 behavioral and knowledge-based competencies.

They tie HR competencies to both personal effectiveness -- "Compared to other HR professionals you have known, how does this participant compare?" -- and seven dimensions of business performance.