Managerial Competencies and Results in Research Groups

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to identify relationships between “managerial competencies” (MCs) and the resulting extension in Brazilian “research groups” (RGs), as well as differences resulting from sociodemographic/functional characteristics. Originality/value: Just like general organizations, RGs need to invest in aspects that enhance their results, taking more strategic approaches to efficiently gather and manage resources and establish networks and partnerships, features that are influenced by the leader’s competencies, which are not always satisfactorily displayed. In addition, the study is innovative in applying a scale of results in RGs (for the first time), identifying their relationships with MCs. Design/methodology/approach: We employed the Correlation Analysis (Kendall-Tau) and Difference tests between medians (Mann-Whitney and Kruskall-Wallis) from the questionnaires electronically completed by 387 RG leaders who accepted the invitation that was sent to 6,723 researchers. Findings: The study was based on scales with validity evidence, and its findings indicate that to achieve better results, it is not enough for the RGs leaders to control the management of people and research results; they also need to dedicate themselves to gathering resources and people because these MCs are more related to results in RGs. We also identified differences resulting from educational level, gender, scholarship grants, knowledge area, and/or research experience and group relation time.