R&D talents are crucial to the innovation and sustainable development of China's "Little Giant" enterprises, the hidden champions in specialized manufacturing. However, these firms face challenges, including talent mismatches and high turnover. This study identifies the key drivers that transition R&D talents from good to great. Through empirical research, including behavioral interviews and a questionnaire survey of 128 respondents from 10 Hefei-based Little Giants, we constructed a competency model. The analysis reveals five core drivers with their weights: Professionalism (29.09%), Sense of Responsibility (27.27%), Coordination & Communication (19.39%), Teamwork (14.55%), and Performance Orientation (9.70%). This model effectively distinguishes outstanding performers and offers a scientific framework for talent selection, development, and retention, filling a critical gap in empirical research for these vital enterprises.

Qiong Wang, Honghao Shao, Ning Zhu, Bin Qian. Key Drivers of Outstanding Performance in R&D Talents of China's Hidden Champions. Academic Journal of Business & Management (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 12: 96-108. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJBM.2025.071213.

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