Avaliação da capacidade da gestão municipal como indutora de desenvolvimento: contribuições para a formação de gestores públicos

Abstract

This study aims to assess the management capacity of municipalities as drivers of development, based on the perceptions of selected municipal managers in Bahia. Drawing on the foundations of Political Administration proposed by researchers from UFBA, the emerging field of Social Management, and experiences related to State Capacity from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, the research seeks to discern how these managers visualize distinct aspects of development management. One of the central objectives was to under-stand how to identify and evaluate the competencies required of public managers for development induction. Throughout the study, theoretical frameworks were developed to construct an analytical framework, resulting in the proposal of competencies to be evaluated and the creation of the proposed Social Management Technology instrument. A range of elements was assessed, from academic background to social policies and transparent governance. While the theoretical understanding among managers was significant, it became evident that this understanding does not guarantee effective application in development. To evaluate this technology, it was applied to a group of municipal public managers in Bahia. Statistical validation techniques were applied to the questionnaire to ensure reliability and improve question arrangements. However, the study revealed limitations, such as the need for a more comprehensive validation of results and the complexity of evaluating management practices from the perspective of self-assessment. The expectation is that this work will contribute to the improvement of development management capacity in municipalities, providing more value to local communities and society.