SUMMARY
The main purpose of this research is to identify which is the necessary level of students’ competencies according to the requirements of the knowledge-based economy. In this approach, we will highlight the influence of generic skills that stimulate the students to think strategically and learn through their experiences. Throughout the sections of the paper, we will highlight the facts and characteristics of the knowledge economy and the profile of the young generations of students who are going to be the future players whether as managers or as employees. The quantitative part of the research was realized throughout the administration of a 30 items questionnaire which was addressed to both undergraduates and graduates, enrolled in management and business study programs from “Stefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, Romania. The database with the results was processed using a statistical software - SPSS, v.19. In order to reveal more insightful correlations about the respondents’ opinions, we processed a Factorial Analysis for Principal Components. This analysis shows the most significant factors which influence the students’ learning behavior and options during the educational process. We consider that the results of such a survey should be of interest for the university governance in order to increase the generated intellectual capital by improving the students’ generic skills.