Title: Empirical relationships between support to informal learning, professional competences and human performance in a Brazilian public organisation

Authors: Francisco Antônio Coelho Junior; Daiane Aguiar Rodrigues; Natasha Fogaça; Janaína Angelina Teixeira; Leovanir Dieter Dockhorn Richter

Addresses: Faculty of Economics, Administration and Accounting, University of Brasília (UnB), 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil ' Faculty of Economics, Administration and Accounting, University of Brasília (UnB), 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil ' Faculty of Economics, Administration and Accounting, University of Brasília (UnB), 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil ' Faculty of Economics, Administration and Accounting, University of Brasília (UnB), 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil ' Faculty of Economics, Administration and Accounting, University of Brasília (UnB), 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Abstract: The 'competency-based' approach to human resource management has become integral during the last 30 years. Competency encompassing the knowledge, skills, abilities, traits and behaviours that allow an individual to perform a task within a specific function or job. The present study aims to test empirically the relationship between support informal learning, importance and domain of professional competences and human performance at work. The study analysed survey data from 234 employees across a Brazilian public organisation in Brazilian context. The finds revealed that the support provided by managers has had strong effect to employee performance. The contribution made by this paper is of value to both the academic subject domain and managers in human resources. We have confirmed that these different constructs impact differently on employee performance. HR managers should invest in promoting an organisational environment to support learning, generating engagement and commitment to work.

Keywords: informal learning; professional competences; human performance; organisational behaviour; multilevel theory; Brazil; public sector; human resource management; HRM; managerial support; employee performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLIC.2017.080658

International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 2017 Vol.14 No.1, pp.90 - 108

Received: 30 Nov 2015
Accepted: 17 Mar 2016

Published online: 01 Dec 2016 *

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