Study goals
This article aims to analyze the skills development process of the production manager in a multinational that manufactures high-tech medical devices in the state of Minas Gerais.
Relevance / originality
The study stands out for its originality, having been carried out in a factory in the high-tech medical sector. It becomes relevant in view of the specificities of the production process that operates with highly complex cardiological artifacts. Understanding the development of managerial skills in this context adds knowledge to the debate on the topic.
Methodology / approach
A descriptive Case Study was carried out at the company called Valvmed. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews with production managers and document analysis. The data obtained were submitted to Content Analysis. The model proposed by Paiva (2007), which derives from Cheethan & Chivers's approach (1996; 1998; 2000), was adopted as an analytical reference
Main results
The study revealed that the development of skills of the production manager involves a complex process that brings together different efforts. The company has been active in training professionals. Internal and external training and job rotation are frequent. The company invests in training production managers through scholarships that encourage their participation in specialization and language courses. The survey signaled that managers recognize the relevance of the technical and social dimensions of work and are sensitive in relation to the role of people in achieving organizational goals. The survey results show that the company, through investments in the development of competencies, seeks innovations and high levels of quality.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
The methodological procedures adopted in the research enabled the application and better understanding of the sequence of steps considered by Silva and Fossá (2015), in line with the recommendations of Content Analysis prescribed by Bardin (2011).
Social / management contributions
Research contributes to the understanding of the complex skills development process of managers who work in the production area in a sector based on a dynamic and innovative production base and oriented towards sophisticated international quality and performance standards. The research unit relates to chemical and biotechnological-based industrial sectors (drugs, medicines, immunobiologicals, vaccines, blood products and reagents) and mechanical, electronic and material-based (mechanical, electronic equipment, prostheses, orthoses and materials).