Alignment of Work Skills for Management Professionals in Southern Peru

Abstract

Objective: Informal employment in Latin America, especially in Peru, poses challenges to job stability, as workers' skills are not aligned with market needs, leading to increased unemployment and underemployment. It is crucial for universities that offer management programs in Peru to understand the labor market, identify the necessary competencies for their graduates, and update their curricula accordingly. This study analyzes the competencies required for management professionals in southern Peru, identifying gaps and proposing solutions to improve education-employment alignment. Method: A survey with 33 multiple-choice questions was conducted among 41 private companies and 20 public institutions. Exploratory factor analysis was used to categorize competencies and the Wilcoxon test was used to determine the gap between the supply and demand of skills. Result and Conclusion: The results reveal three categories of competencies: specific, interpersonal and technological, highlighting skills such as teamwork, adaptability to change, ethical behavior, commitment to quality, and decision making. A gap is observed where demand exceeds supply, indicating an unmet need for competencies, except in social responsibility and civic engagement. Research implications: These findings are valuable for universities offering management programs in Peru, as they allow curriculum improvement and, consequently, optimize the teaching-learning process, as well as rationalize efforts and resources to meet labor market demands. Originality/value: It addresses a real and relevant issue that affects both graduates and companies in the specific context of southern Peru, providing a more detailed and contextualized understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this region.