Alexander Chursin is the Head of the Department of Applied Economic Studies of Institute of Space Technologies at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), and, and Advisor of the RUDN University Rectorate. He is a member of the Scientific Council of Russian Academy of Sciences; professional member of New-York Academy of Science, and a Professor of Academy of Military Sciences. A. Chursin has been working in executive positions in industry and scientific educational institutions for more than 50 years. He led large projects of conversion in the defense industry of the USSR and the creation and development of innovative area within the CIS countries on the basis of developed with his participation in the 'Interstate program of innovation cooperation of CIS member states for the period until 2020'. He is an author of 23 patented inventions in the field of instrumentation and control system design, and has published over 120 articles and 30 monographs. He is currently engaged in research problems of management of production and organization competitiveness, and ensuring the successful performance of domestic products in the world markets.

A. Chursin is the recipient of many medals and orders of the USSR and Russia for his contributions to labor and scientific activities, such as the USSR Council of Ministers Award in the field of science and technology, Tsiolkovsky Sign for personal creative contribution in the implementation of space programs and projects, and the medal of the "Order of Merit for the Motherland of the II degree. 

This monograph provides theoretical and practical perspectives on competency management as a key resource for producing competitive products. The authors develop and substantiate a law of dependence between competencies and emergence of new markets, and describe the practical aspects of developing competencies in high-tech companies. Further, they develop economic and mathematical models for managing the competitive advantages of a company based on competencies. Using these models, they present a method for evaluating and ranking core competencies, as well as for multi-criteria ratings of human potential efficiency. The book also discusses the mechanisms of competitiveness management based on a conceptual model of a competence center network.