<p>(Reuters) - IBM Corp will buy Kenexa Corp for about $1.3 billion to enter the human resources software market in a move that would likely increase competition with Oracle Corp and SAP AG who recently bought into the sector.</p><p>The deal underpins the importance that slow-growing technology giants place on faster-growing, web-based software makers, whose products are less vulnerable to the economic downturn as there are no upfront costs for program licenses, dedicated hardware or installation.</p><p>Germany's SAP bought Kenexa's competitor SuccessFactors for $3.4 billion in cash last December, while Oracle bought rival Taleo Corp for about $1.9 billion in February.</p><p>The two companies made other cloud purchases, including RightNow Technologies and Ariba Inc.</p><p><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-kenexa-offerbre87q0hr-20120827,0,3465402.story">Keep reading...</a></p>