Competências Profissionais: Um Estudo com Gestores do Varejo de Moda do “Barro Preto” - Belo Horizonte (MG)

The aim of this study is to describe and analyze how the managerial competences are configured and managed in the retail sector of Barro Preto’s fashion district in managers and other sales team members’ perception. In order to accomplish this, we took into account Paiva’s competence model (Paiva, 2007). The field research was characterized as a descriptive case study, with a qualitative approach. The data were collected through documentation survey and analysis and by interviews. The subjects were chosen using accessibility and convenience criteria. The data collected were organized, processed and analyzed by the technique of content analysis. Subsequently, the demographic and functional data of respondents were presented. For most of the inverviewees, the notion of competence is linked to action; they are aware that managers occupy a middle ground in the organizational hierarchy and that they work in an environment known by ambiguity, contradictions and demands. So, to be competent managers, interviewees attested the need for academic training, while considering the importance of experience. This study suggests the importance of informal learning in the managers’ competences training and development, especially through the figure of the "model manager"; in other words, the one that is considered the mirror to the other members of the sales team. Finally, limitations of this study and suggestions for further research were pointed out.