A gestão por competências no âmbito das Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior da Região Nordeste

Abstract

Competency management is crucial for people management strategies and has been the subject of extensive academic research. This approach proposes a management model that aims to achieve maximum organizational development potential by aligning competencies with the institutions’ objectives and strategies. Currently, there is a gap in the literature that requires specific studies to map the current scenario, especially in the context of federal institutions. Several scholars recommend a more in-depth analysis of the topic, highlighting the challenges in implementing the CM model, with few examples of implementation, especially in federal institutions in the Northeast region. This study investigates the application of competency management practices in federal higher education institutions in the Northeast of Brazil. Using a descriptive methodology with a qualitative and quantitative approach, primary data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The research covered 30 institutions, of which 23 responded. The analysis involved descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. Challenges such as disbelief in change, resistant organizational culture, and insufficient staff were identified as the main obstacles. Furthermore, the results indicate that only one of the institutions studied has a CM model implemented. This highlights the need for efforts to establish guidelines that facilitate its application. Based on these findings, recommendations were developed to guide institutions interested in adopting CM. It is expected that these results will continue to stimulate discussions on the practice of CM, especially in the context of public organizations. Future research can expand this study to other regions of Brazil and different public institutions. It is crucial to investigate the factors that facilitate or hinder the implementation of competency-based management and to conduct longitudinal studies to assess its long-term impact. In addition, the perception of public servants on the topic and its application is an important aspect to be addressed.