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Managerial competences of researchers from Nursing research groups* * Paper extracted from master’s thesis “Gestão de grupos de pesquisa de um programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem stricto sensu de uma universidade pública”, presented to Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. This article refers to the call “Human Resources in Health and Nursing: Training and Practice in the Americas”.

Abstracts

Objective:

to analyze the managerial competences of researchers from research groups linked to a Graduate Program in Nursing.

Method:

a cross-sectional study with researchers from Nursing research groups, which analyzed the managerial competences by means of a Scale of Managerial Competences in Research Groups containing 50 items related to people management and research results (Factor 1) and resource provisioning and people management (Factor 2), with answers 4 and 5 considered as sufficient dexterity for each competence analyzed. For data analysis, logistic regression was used.

Results:

of the 219 participants evaluated, the prevalence was 48.86% of sufficient dexterity for factor 1 and 32.88% of sufficient dexterity for factor 2; with 41.21% of sufficient dexterity for Managerial Competences in research groups. A significant difference was identified in the proportions of the managerial competences for schooling, age group and performance in the group (p≤0.001). There were differences in mean age, time of experience with research and participation in the research group (p≤0.001), between the participants with sufficient and insufficient dexterity for the managerial competences.

Conclusion:

the results obtained in this study emphasize the potential of the research groups for the development of managerial competences of Nursing researchers, especially for people management.

Descriptors:
Research Personnel; Professional Competence; Research Groups; Competency-Based Education; Nursing Education; Nursing Education Research


Objective:

analisar as competências gerenciais de pesquisadores de grupos de pesquisa vinculados a um Programa de Pós-graduação em Enfermagem.

Método:

estudo transversal com pesquisadores de grupos de pesquisa em enfermagem, que analisou as competências gerenciais por meio de uma Escala de Competências Gerenciais em Grupos de Pesquisa contendo 50 itens relacionados à gestão de pessoas e de resultados de pesquisa (Fator 1) e captação de recursos e gestão de pessoas (Fator 2); as respostas 4 e 5 foram consideradas como domínio suficiente para cada competência analisada. Para análise de dados, utilizou-se regressão logística.

Resultados:

dos 219 participantes avaliados, a prevalência foi de 48,86% suficientes para o fator 1 e 32,88% suficientes para o fator 2; 41,21% suficientes para Competências Gerenciais em Grupos de Pesquisa. Identificou-se diferença significativa nas proporções das competências gerenciais para escolaridade, grupo etário e atuação no grupo (p ≤0,001). Houve diferença na média de idade, tempo de experiência com pesquisa e participação no grupo de pesquisa (p ≤0,001), entre os participantes suficientes e insuficientes para as competências gerenciais.

Conclusão:

os resultados obtidos neste estudo enfatizam o potencial dos grupos de pesquisa para o desenvolvimento de competências gerenciais dos pesquisadores em enfermagem, especialmente para gestão de pessoas.

Descritores:
Pesquisadores; Competência Profissional; Grupos de Pesquisa; Educação Baseada em Competências; Educação em Enfermagem; Pesquisa em Educação de Enfermagem


Objetivo:

analizar las competencias directivas de investigadores de grupos de investigación vinculados a un Programa de Posgrado en Enfermería.

Método:

estudio transversal con investigadores de grupos de investigación en enfermería, que analizó las competencias directivas a través de una Escala de Competencias Directivas en Grupos de Investigación que contiene 50 ítems relacionados con la gestión de personas y resultados de investigación (Factor 1) y captación de recursos y gestión de personas (Factor 2), las respuestas 4 y 5 se consideraron dominio suficiente para cada competencia analizada. Para el análisis de datos se utilizó regresión logística.

Resultados:

de los 219 participantes evaluados, la prevalencia fue 48,86% suficiente para el factor 1 y 32,88% suficiente para el factor 2; 41,21% suficiente para competencias directivas en grupos de investigación. Se identificó una diferencia significativa en las proporciones de competencias gerenciales por escolaridad, grupo de edad y desempeño en el grupo (p≤0,001). Hubo diferencia en la edad promedio, tiempo de experiencia con la investigación y participación en el grupo de investigación (p≤0,001), entre participantes suficientes e insuficientes para competencias gerenciales.

Conclusión:

los resultados obtenidos en este estudio enfatizan el potencial de los grupos de investigación para el desarrollo de competencias directivas de los investigadores de enfermería, especialmente para la gestión de personas.

Descriptores:
Investigadores; Competencia Profesional; Grupos de Investigación; Educación Basada en Competencias; Educación en Enfermería; Investigación en Educación de Enfermaría


Introduction

Managerial competences are behaviors, observed or developed, expressed by means of knowledge, skills and individual attitudes that have an impact on the production of better organizational results. The synergy among these three elements positively influences individuals, teams and organizations in attaining their objectives11 Freitas PFP de, Odelius CC. Escala de Competências Gerenciais em Grupos de Pesquisa. Rev Adm FACES J. 2017 Dez;16(4):45-65. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975faces2017v16n4art4134
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In Brazil, the work of researchers, whether they are professors, leaders and researchers in training since scientific initiation, undergraduates, MS students, specialization students, PhD students, post-doctoral students and technicians, within the scope of the research groups, is guided by the use of multiple competences, depending on the work developed. In order to carry out actions linked to the production of scientific knowledge, each researcher uses strategies considered adequate, at each stage of the investigative process22 Barbosa MAC, Mendonça JRC, Cassundé FRSA. Managerial competences (expected versus perceived) of academic-managers of federal higher education institution: perceptions of teachers from a federal university. Adm Ensino Pesqui. 2016 Dez;17(3):439-73. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13058/raep.2016.v17n3.344
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The academic activities developed by professors acting in the health area have undergone significant changes over the years due to changes in the educational system, the health system and society33 Gatto Júnior JR, Fortuna CM, Sousa LA Santana FR. Nursing professor in higher education: time, money and resistance in the management vision. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2020;29:e20180407. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2018-0407
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. Competences that help in their training as high-impact, productive researchers, competent managers and academic leaders started to be demanded from higher education professors44 Baker L, Leslie K, Panisko D, Walsh A, Wong A, Stubbs B, et al. Exploring Faculty Developers' Experiences to Inform Our Understanding of Competence in Faculty Development. Acad Med. 2018 Fev;93(2):265-73. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000001821
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These competences are aimed at meeting the demands inherent to the work of a researcher. Among them, the planning of the research process, from its conception to the dissemination of the results, proposal and debate of research topics with members of the group, management of human, financial and process resources; fundraising and establishment of partnerships are highlighted11 Freitas PFP de, Odelius CC. Escala de Competências Gerenciais em Grupos de Pesquisa. Rev Adm FACES J. 2017 Dez;16(4):45-65. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975faces2017v16n4art4134
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A scoping review of Canadian researchers brought together competences for researchers in the health area, considering the following categories: knowledge, skills, and attitudes. In terms of knowledge, competences focused on research methods; participatory approach; evidence and results; cultural context; logistics; establishment of priorities and research aimed at the patients were highlighted. The skills include: communication; teamwork; project management and conflict management55 Frisch N, Atherton P, Doyle-Waters, MacLeod MLP, Mallidou A, Sheane V, et al. Patient-oriented research competencies in health (PORCH) for researchers, patients, healthcare providers, and decision-makers: results os a scoping review. Res Involv Engagem. 2020 Feb;6(4). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40900-020-0180-0
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The attitudes encompass personal characteristics of the researchers, such as: encouraging; supportive; welcoming; optimist; curious; and emotionally intelligent, as well as attitudes towards building partnerships and relationships; management sharing; respect for different perspectives; valuing mutual trust; support for the use of creative methodologies and flexibility in conducting the work; social contribution; respect for community values and patients’ experiences55 Frisch N, Atherton P, Doyle-Waters, MacLeod MLP, Mallidou A, Sheane V, et al. Patient-oriented research competencies in health (PORCH) for researchers, patients, healthcare providers, and decision-makers: results os a scoping review. Res Involv Engagem. 2020 Feb;6(4). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40900-020-0180-0
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In the academic context, research groups are unique spaces for the development of the aforementioned professional and personal competences. The act of researching stimulates critical reflection on the Nursing praxis in all its areas: care, management and teaching; and is directly related to problem solving, improvement of care processes and foundation of the praxis66 Azevedo IC, Silva RCL, Carvalho DPSRP, Cruz GKP, Lima JVH, Ferreira Júnior MA. Importance of the research group in the nursing Student training. Rev Enferm UFSM. 2018 Jun;8(2):390-8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179769226003
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Brazilian graduate programs are real transformation engines, in the social and economic spheres; they play an important role in the development of science, technology and innovation. Nursing research laboratories are linked to these programs and corroborate growth77 Scochi CGS, Munari DB, Gelbcke, FL, Ferreira MA. The challenges and strategies from graduate programs in nursing for the dissemination of scientific production at international journals. Esc Anna Nery. 2014 Mar;18(1):5-6. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1414-8145.20140001
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Previous studies carried out with Nursing research groups addressed aspects mainly related to the profile and the functionalities, with a focus on the research line and concentration area of the laboratories88 Erdmann AL, Peiter CC, Lanzoni GMM. Brazilian research groups in nursing: comparison of 2006 and 2016 profiles. Rev Gaúcha de Enferm. 2017;38(2):1-7. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2017.02.69051.
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9 Erdmann AL, Mello ALF, Andrade SR, Klock P. Funcionalidade dos grupos de pesquisa de administração/gestão/gerência de enfermagem. Rev Rene. [Internet]. 2010 [Acesso 16 jun 2020];11(2):19-26. Disponível em: http://periodicos.ufc.br/rene/article/view/4511
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10 Schveitzer MC, Backes VMS, Prado ML, Lino MM, Ferraz F. Research groups in nursing education: research areas and scientific production in three regions of Brazil. Rev Bras Enferm. 2012;65(2):332-8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-71672012000200020
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-1111 Oliveira BGRB, Erdmann AL, Fuly PSC, Oliveira AP, Rodrigues ALS. Wound care research groups registered in Brazil: a transversal study. Online Braz J Nurs. [Internet]. 2013 [cited Jun 16, 2020];12(2). Available from: http://www.objnursing.uff.br/index.php/nursing/article/view/3988/html_2
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. In this sense, the study contributions focus on the identification of managerial competences of Nursing researchers and advances in the demonstration of new perspectives so that the research laboratories enhance the development of managerial competences in their members.

In view of the above, the guiding question of the study was: What are the managerial competencies of researchers inserted in research groups linked to a Graduate Program in Nursing? Based on this question, the objective was to analyze the managerial competences of researchers from research groups linked to a Graduate Program in Nursing.

Method

A cross-sectional study, in which the study scenario was a public university in southern Brazil. The study population was composed of researchers from 14 Nursing research groups linked to a stricto sensu Graduate Program in Nursing.

The research groups are devoted to studies related to several areas of Nursing knowledge: health and nursing education, acute and chronic health situations, history of Nursing, health and nursing management, child health, woman and newborn health, health promotion, health technologies, health, nursing and rehabilitation work process, among others. The number of participants in each group varies from 15 to 71 members, with the collaboration of foreigners.

The survey was conducted from June to September 2018. The inclusion criteria were defined as follows: being an undergraduate and graduate professor or student, member and active in the research groups at the time of data collection, without time limitation. Researchers who were on leave of any nature during the data collection period were excluded.

A population sample calculation was performed with the intention of estimating the minimum number of participants in the research. The following data are considered: total population of participants in the 14 research laboratories = 498; confidence level = 95%; sampling error = 5%. Thus, a sample (n) of 217 researchers1212 Nassar SM, Wronscki VR, Ohira M. SEstatNet - Sistema Especialista para o Ensino de Estatística na Web. [Internet]. [Acesso 10 mar 2020]. Disponível em: http://sestatnet.ufsc.br
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was estimated.

For the selection of the participants, non-probabilistic sampling was used, for convenience, as data collection was developed with all participants present at the research laboratory meetings. Thus, a sample of 219 members of research groups was obtained.

In the stage that preceded data collection, the instrument underwent a pilot study, for face and content validity, by two PhD students experienced in the theme in question, who were not participants in the research. This stage aimed to identify possible difficulties in completing the instrument. However, there was a consensus on the easy understanding of filling in the instrument, with no changes needed.

The data were collected using an instrument with two parts: 1) Characterization of the researchers, with questions regarding the sociodemographic profile and performance in the group; and 2) Scale of Managerial Competences in Research Groups.

The dependent variables were the 50 items of the Scale of Managerial Competences in research groups with seven categories (0 - no dexterity; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 - complete dexterity; and NA - Not Applicable). The independent variables were the following: age group, with age being collected in a gross manner and later classified into five categories (<25; 26-35; 36-45; 46-55; >56 years old); gender (female, male); training (others, Nursing); schooling level with six categories (incomplete higher education; complete higher education; complete specialization; complete master’s degree; complete PhD; post-doctorate); type of performance in the group with six categories (leader/researcher/professor; MS/PhD; graduation; other participants; residency; post-doctorate); time of research experience in years and time of participation in the research group in years.

The Scale of Managerial Competences in Research Groups is Brazilian, it was developed and validated in the University of Brasília. It consists of 50 items and is divided into two factors, as shown in Figure 1 11 Freitas PFP de, Odelius CC. Escala de Competências Gerenciais em Grupos de Pesquisa. Rev Adm FACES J. 2017 Dez;16(4):45-65. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975faces2017v16n4art4134
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Figure 1
Definition for the factors related to Managerial Competences

The data were collected during the meetings of the research groups through previous contact with their leaders. The self-administered instrument was distributed by the responsible researcher and by a duly trained technical team. The mean time to fill in the instrument was 15 minutes.

The Likert-type scale has dichotomous variables referring to the items on the scale. Thus, the score is assigned according to the researcher’s degree of dexterity in relation to a given competence (0 - no dexterity; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 - complete dexterity; and NA - Not Applicable). Scores 0, 1, 2 and 3 were considered as insufficient dexterity and scores 4 and 5 as sufficient dexterity for that managerial competence1313 Freitas PFP, Odelius CC. Relações entre Competências Gerenciais de Líderes de Grupos de pesquisa e Resultados Alcançados. [Dissertação] Brasília: Universidade de Brasília; 2016 [Acesso 10 mar 2020]. Disponível em: https://repositorio.unb.br/bitstream/10482/19827/1/2016_PabloFernandoPessoadeFreitas.pdf
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Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics® 20.0 for Windows statistical program. For all the variables, descriptive analyses were performed. For the quantitative variables, the difference of the means between the managerial competencies was verified using the Student’s t-test. For the qualitative variables, the proportion was calculated, as well as the difference between the occurrence of the managerial competencies for the independent variables, using Fisher’s Exact or Chi-Square tests. Variables with a p-value ≤0.05 in the bivariate analysis were considered statistically significant. The gross analysis was performed using logistic regression and the gross Odds Ratio (OR) was estimated, with its respective Confidence Intervals (95% CI). The missings were readjusted, that is, the information not answered was readjusted for the number of non-respondent participants. For this reason, the total number of participants varies between the variables.

Regarding the ethical aspects, the research was carried out in accordance with Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research with Human Beings, under opinion number 2,595,322. All the participants were informed about the research objectives and signed the Free and Informed Consent Form (FICF).

Results

Of the 219 study participants, the majority were female (89.5%, n=196), aged between 26 and 35 years old (35.8%, n=78), had completed a master’s degree (25.5%, n=88), undergraduate Nursing (96.3%, n=206) and acted in the group as an MS/PhD student (40.2%, n=88). The mean time of experience in research was approximately 8 years (SD: 7.50; 0-38) and of experience in the research group, 4 years (SD: 5.72; 0-31). Table 1 characterizes the sample by means of the sociodemographic and professional profile of the study participants.

Table 1
Sociodemographic and professional profile of the participants in research groups. Southern Brazil, 2018

Table 2 shows the participants with insufficient and sufficient dexterity in relation to the factors and the managerial competences in research groups. A larger number of participants with sufficient dexterity for Factor 1 - People and research results management was identified.

Table 2
Participants with insufficient and sufficient dexterity for Factors 1 and 2, and for the managerial competences (n*=219). Southern Brazil, 2018

Table 3 shows the association between the sociodemographic and professional variables in view of the managerial competences in research groups. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportions of managerial competences for schooling, age group and performance in the group. In addition, there was a difference in mean age, time of experience with research, and participation in the research group between participants with sufficient and insufficient dexterity for managerial competences.

Table 3
Association between the sociodemographic and professional variables in view of the managerial competences of the participants in research groups. Southern Brazil, 2018

In the gross analysis, in relation to the managerial competences, the individuals who had completed higher education, completed master’s degree, completed PhD, and completed post-doctorate were, respectively, 2.96 (85%CI: 1.11-7.90), 2.84 (95%CI: 1.24-6.55), 26.19 (95%CI: 6.69-102.49) and 44.41 (95%CI: 5.26-374.98) times more likely to have managerial competences when compared to the participants with incomplete higher education degrees.

As for the age group, the participants aged 36 to 45 years old and 46 to 55 years old were, respectively, 2.75 (95%CI: 1.26-6.02) and 8.47 (95%CI: 2.47-2.08) times more likely to have sufficient managerial competences when compared to individuals up to 25 years old. In the performance in the research group, MS, PhD and residency students were 2.45 (95%CI: 1.65-5.15) and professors, leaders and postdoctoral students were 27.29 (95%CI: 8.14-91.42) times more likely to have sufficient managerial competences when compared with undergraduate students.

The data showed an 8% increase (OR:1.08; 95%CI: 1.04-1.11) in the chance of presenting sufficient managerial competences for each year of increase in age. Regarding the time of experience with research, the chance of having sufficient managerial competences increases 16% with each year of experience in research (OR:1.16; 95%CI: 1.10-1.23). When participating in a research group, the chance of having sufficient managerial competences increases 18% (OR:1.18; 95%CI: 1.10-1.27) per year.

Table 4
Gross analysis in relation to the factors associated with the managerial competences of participants in research groups. Southern Brazil, 2018

Discussion

The results obtained in this study emphasize the potential of the research groups for the development of managerial competences of Nursing researchers, especially for people management. As far as it is known, this was the first study that analyzed the managerial competences of researchers in Nursing research groups in Brazil.

The sociodemographic profile was mostly composed of females, a fact that shows a high percentage of female researchers inserted in postgraduate research groups in Nursing. Although it hinders the establishment of statistical patterns and the analysis of comparative data between genders and other variables, this data was not considered a limitation of the study, as it represents a characteristic of Nursing, in which 85.1% of the professionals are female1414 Machado MH, Aguiar Filho W, Lacerda WF, Oliveira E, Lemos W, Wermelinger M, et al. Características gerais da enfermagem: o perfil sócio demográfico. Enferm. Foco. 2016;7:11-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2016.v7.nESP.686
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Among the two factors expressed in the scale, the participants demonstrated a greater degree of sufficiency for Factor 1, related to people and research results management. This result can be related to the training of nurses, which aims at developing managerial competences with a focus on leadership and people management in line with the National Curriculum Guidelines for the Undergraduate Nursing Course in Brazil1515 Vieira MA. Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para a área da enfermagem: o papel das competências na formação do enfermeiro. Revi Norte Mineira Enferm. 2016;5(1):105-21..

The emphasis on the development of qualitative research studies in Nursing may also have contributed to this result1616 Polizeli LVB, Girotto MA, Marin MJS, Maia GA, Gimenez FVM. Characterization and impact of research the projects health submitted to the Conselho Municipal de Avaliação em Pesquisa. Rev Enferm Centro-oeste Mineiro. 2017 Abr;7:1-8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.19175/recom.v7i0.1149
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. This type of research is based on the collection of verbal and written data, for example, through interviews and documentary analysis. Such techniques do not require the purchase and use of technological supplies and/or resources, nor the composition of large research teams.

On the other hand, although this is the factor that reached the largest number of participants with sufficient dexterity, it is important that Nursing professors improve their skills belonging to Factor 2, regarding raising funds and recruiting people. The search for funding, establishing a partnership with researchers and companies, and attracting new members can help in the development of multicentric research studies with greater technological robustness. These resources guide the search for excellence in the research group’s knowledge area.

With regard to sufficient managerial competences, there was a higher occurrence in participants with master’s and doctorate degrees. MSs and PhDs have already gone through postgraduate studies in the stricto sensu modality in Nursing, which contributes to professor training by enabling the development of teaching skills, the ability to train new researchers and to manage research projects1717 Erdmann AL, Santos JLG, Klock P, Soder RM, Dal Sasso GTM, Erdmann RH. Policies, Management and Innovation Research Groups for Nursing Excellence. Aquichan. 2013 Abr;13(1):92-103..

The results showed that professors, leaders of research groups and post-PhDs are more likely to have sufficient managerial competences compared to undergraduate students, who are in the process of learning in research groups. The fact that professors, leaders of research groups and post-PhDs are encouraged to exercise skills for teaching and university management in their daily practice may have influenced the greater chance of presenting sufficient managerial competences compared to students who are still looking for skills development. As a result of the performance as a professor, researcher and manager, the higher education professor exercises different competences in each of these areas, since a single one does not cover the specificities required by each of these three fronts22 Barbosa MAC, Mendonça JRC, Cassundé FRSA. Managerial competences (expected versus perceived) of academic-managers of federal higher education institution: perceptions of teachers from a federal university. Adm Ensino Pesqui. 2016 Dez;17(3):439-73. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13058/raep.2016.v17n3.344
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Thus, professors are expected to mobilize different professional skills, including managerial competences to seek the efficiency and effectiveness of organizational management, through research and extension results and student learning. In this perspective, professors associate previous experiences, their academic trajectory, and even their life trajectory as justifications that permeate their competence repertoire22 Barbosa MAC, Mendonça JRC, Cassundé FRSA. Managerial competences (expected versus perceived) of academic-managers of federal higher education institution: perceptions of teachers from a federal university. Adm Ensino Pesqui. 2016 Dez;17(3):439-73. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13058/raep.2016.v17n3.344
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An international study on the essential competences of professors acting in the health area highlighted the competence for scientific research as the most expected by health education specialists in schools. The development of scientific research studies contributes for the teacher to develop flexibility, understanding the complexity of the training universities in the area of health and experimental pedagogical experience1818 Moynihan S, Paakkari L, Valimaa R, Jourdan D, Mannix-McNamara P. Teacher Competencies in Health Education: Results of a Delphi Study. PLoS ONE. 2015 Dez;10(12): e0143703. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0143703
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A strategy described in the literature can assist Nursing professors in developing competences to leverage their careers, as well as leadership in Nursing research. Mentoring can be carried out individually or in groups and consists in the advising of experienced researchers to beginning researchers, through the transmission of information and support with a view to professional development. Mentoring has a positive influence on issues related to research productivity, such as: knowledge, funding, collaboration, and publications. This strategy, in addition to promoting the development of the research career, leadership and increased salaries, had repercussions on work relationships, on health, and on the well-being of Nursing professors1919 Hafsteinsdóttir TB, Zwaag AM. van der; Schuurmans MJ. Leadership mentoring in nursing research, career development and scholarly productivity: A systematic review. Int J Nurs Studies. 2017 Out;75:21-34. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.07.004
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Although the researchers with higher education (professors, leaders and post-docs) working in the group are more likely to have sufficient managerial competences, when the stimulus for skills development is during the period of professional training, it points to better future results in terms of performance related to the managerial competences. The professionals who have acquired knowledge, in addition to their role, have greater capacity for innovation and knowledge applied to other areas2020 Custódio C, Ferreira MA, Matos P. Do General Managerial Skills Spur Innovation? Manag Sci. 2017 Set;65(2):1-8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2828
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In the study results, the number of undergraduate students inserted in research groups stood out. The contact with research groups during undergraduation has a positive impact on the training of nurses who are critical and knowledgeable about research. The inclusion in research groups allows the undergraduate student to interact with postgraduate students and professors, to approach research projects, scientific initiation, and monitoring. This greater approximation with research also during the undergraduate course reflects in knowledge of the stricto sensu graduate program and, consequently, in the ease to enter these programs. Also during undergraduation, there is an approach to the construction of a research project, publication of articles, reading and discipline2121 Ferreira RE, Tavares CMM, Santos GS, Fonseca PIMN. Motivation of nurses to join a stricto sensu graduate program. Rev Baiana Enferm. 2015 Jun;29(2):180-5..

In this sense, Nursing education with competence-based learning gives excellence to the teaching-learning process. This teaching modality has the advantage for teaching competences by the student: use of active methodologies; student accountability for their learning process; control of resources and curricular cohesion. These competences show the level of knowledge for the professional practice, which is essential for leading professional activity and for ensuring the quality of the professionals2222 Martínez-Momblán MA, Colina-Torralva J, Cueva-Ariza L, Guix-Comellas EM, Romero-García M, Delgado-Hito P. Analysis of the evolution of competences in the clinical practice of the nursing degree. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem. 2020 Feb;28:e3231. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2927.3231
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2927.3...
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A study carried out with undergraduate students identified the fundamental competences for training nurses in the three dimensions (knowledge, skill, and attitudes). Namely: health and nursing planning, information system, human, physical and material resources, change process, time management, leadership, decision-making, teamwork, supervision, conflict resolution, auditing, communication and continuing education2323 Peres AM, Ezeagu TNM, Sade PMC, Souza PB, Gómez-Torres D. Mapping competencies: identifying gaps in managerial nursing training. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2017;26(2):e06250015. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072017006250015
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0104-070720170...
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However, the representative number of undergraduate students in this study can reflect on the results in relation to the insufficiency/sufficiency of managerial competences, since there is an upward trend in these skills throughout the profession. A study carried out in the United States with 168 pharmacists, with the objective of identifying their managerial competences, showed that, while in graduation, 15% of the pharmacists reported a high degree of managerial competences and, after graduating, 57% presented a high degree of managerial competences, which have been developed throughout their careers2424 Mospan CM, Casper KA, Coleman A, Porter K. Managerial skills of new practitioner pharmacists within community practice. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2017 Mai;57(3):265-9. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2017.03.003
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2017.03...
.

The data also indicated more chances of finding sufficient managerial competences in participants aged 46 to 55, compared to individuals up to 25 years old. Similarly, a study conducted in North American companies verified that the most successful companies are those created by founders over the age of 45. This result indicates that professional performance increases markedly with age, due to the experience acquired over the years2525 Azoulay P, Jones BF, Kim JD, Miranda J. The average age of a successful startup founder is 45. Harv Bus Rev. 2018 Jul;0(0):1-5..

In each year of participation in the research group, the probability of having sufficient managerial competences increases by 18%. The research group promotes critical thinking, encourages its members to reflect on the praxis in Nursing and its diverse contexts, when relating practical experiences to university knowledge. This experience favors the development of personal and professional competences for the members of the research group66 Azevedo IC, Silva RCL, Carvalho DPSRP, Cruz GKP, Lima JVH, Ferreira Júnior MA. Importance of the research group in the nursing Student training. Rev Enferm UFSM. 2018 Jun;8(2):390-8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179769226003
http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179769226003...
. In addition, the training process in the spaces of the research groups provides in-depth discussions on theoretical-methodological frameworks and epistemology, listed as one of the strategies that can even boost the dissemination of Nursing scientific knowledge at the international level77 Scochi CGS, Munari DB, Gelbcke, FL, Ferreira MA. The challenges and strategies from graduate programs in nursing for the dissemination of scientific production at international journals. Esc Anna Nery. 2014 Mar;18(1):5-6. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1414-8145.20140001
http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1414-8145.2014...
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This way, research groups and postgraduation are important scenarios for the development of managerial competences. A study with North American professionals showed that most of them consider postgraduation as a facilitator to assist in the development of managerial competences2424 Mospan CM, Casper KA, Coleman A, Porter K. Managerial skills of new practitioner pharmacists within community practice. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2017 Mai;57(3):265-9. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2017.03.003
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2017.03...
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The intellectual dimension of a research group is made up by the association of original ideas and competences, especially by the association of knowledge of its members. Thus, the competences of the researchers must be identified as a way to manage and map the individual potentialities. In this way, the group can benefit from the knowledge produced to create and disseminate new products and services11 Freitas PFP de, Odelius CC. Escala de Competências Gerenciais em Grupos de Pesquisa. Rev Adm FACES J. 2017 Dez;16(4):45-65. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975faces2017v16n4art4134
http://dx.doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975face...
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The competence map is part of the architecture of a knowledge management system oriented to research groups, which can be used as a way to maximize results. This map consists of the prior establishment of essential competences identified at a certain level of knowledge in each of the members of research groups. Thus, after identifying these potentials, this knowledge is used to form research teams motivated to produce. This method, associated with interactive, group support, management and content tools, seeks satisfactory knowledge management in research groups11 Freitas PFP de, Odelius CC. Escala de Competências Gerenciais em Grupos de Pesquisa. Rev Adm FACES J. 2017 Dez;16(4):45-65. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975faces2017v16n4art4134
http://dx.doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975face...
.

This study had limitations in presenting the individual competences of researchers from research groups. In this sense, it is necessary to expand discussions about organizational managerial competences, based on the definitions of competences of the groups and institutions, with monitoring and evaluation, using a competence management model and/or tools such as competence mapping.

Despite this, from the identification and mapping of the managerial competences of researchers, the study contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge, pointing out new perspectives for people management with a focus on competence management. In this sense, the competences of the researchers are more easily identified and their performance in that field is enhanced to obtain better results in research.

Conclusion

The managerial competences of participants in research groups in Nursing are mainly linked to the management of people and research results. As for sufficient managerial competences, there was a higher occurrence and a greater chance of showing sufficiency in the participants with higher academic degrees. Regarding the development of these competences, it was verified that the chance of presenting sufficient managerial competences increases with the time of participation in the research group, with the experience in research, and with age.

Thus, the study contributes to highlight the role played by the research groups for the development of managerial competences, since through it, activities that provide researchers with the exercise of these competences are linked. Although the process of learning competences is not always explicit within the actions of researchers and the research group, it is suggested to systematize this knowledge in order to enhance training. The definitions of organizational managerial competences of groups; tools for mapping competences, and a competence management model can assist in this process.

  • *
    Paper extracted from master’s thesis “Gestão de grupos de pesquisa de um programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem stricto sensu de uma universidade pública”, presented to Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. This article refers to the call “Human Resources in Health and Nursing: Training and Practice in the Americas”.

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Edited by

Associate Editor: Andrea Bernardes

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    19 July 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    16 June 2020
  • Accepted
    19 Oct 2020
Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14040-902 Ribeirão Preto SP Brazil, Tel.: +55 (16) 3315-3451 / 3315-4407 - Ribeirão Preto - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rlae@eerp.usp.br