Purpose – the article explores the R&D personnel as a competitive factor of the innovative enterprises in Bulgaria. Research methodology – a wide literature review and survey are conducted on R&D personnel and its performance together with a comparative analysis of secondary data resources. Findings – the article presents the essence, the peculiarities, the innovation results, the R&D competencies in the context of the innovative enterprises in Bulgaria. A generalized classification of the

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... ation goals and results is developed. The approach and the model clearly describe the R&D personnel as a factor, influencing the innovation activity and focus on its improvement. Research limitations – lack of relevant research studies on the topic in Bulgaria. Practical implications – the results help managers to make decisions on how to raise the enterprise's innovation activity. The model can be implemented in the enterprise's innovation system to distinguish the R&D personnel's needs for improving their innovation competencies, motivation or performance measurement, and management. Originality/Value – a model for decreasing the discrepancies between the R&D personnel and the organisationаl innovation requirements. Framing constructs for developing an approach for identifying the needs for more competitive R&D personnel and overcoming the innovation gaps in search of high innovation activity.