Study of competencies in managers of Cuban Domestic Trade for strategic management in the current context
Keywords:
managerial competencies; strategic approach; Ministry of Domestic Trade; gap analysis; public sector; CubaAbstract
Objective. To identify the competencies required by managers of the Ministry of Domestic Trade (Mincin) to develop their management with a strategic approach, enabling them to respond to the demands of the current context. Design/Methodology/Approach. Mixed-method, descriptive-propositive study with a purposive sample of 32 Mincin managers. Three participatory workshops were conducted, along with documentary review of 28 performance evaluations, 15 management training plans, and 12 control reports. A Likert-scale questionnaire (α = 0.89) was applied to assess importance and current mastery of competencies. Data were processed using SPSS v.25. Results/Discussion. Fifteen competencies were identified. The highest gaps (>1.0) corresponded to Change Management (1.64), Strategic Vision (1.24), Teamwork (1.16), Analytical Skills (1.08), Customer Orientation (1.08), and Strategic Planning (1.04). These critical competencies align with current literature demands for digital transformation and adaptability. Conclusions. The participatory methodology allowed, for the first time in Mincin, the construction of an empirically validated competency map. Results guide the prioritization of training actions on critical competencies, aligning capacity building with real contextual needs. Originality/Value. A participatory procedure combined with quantitative analysis and case studies is provided to determine strategic competencies in the Cuban public sector, facilitating decision-making in management training.
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