Desafios da gest o em institui es de ensino superior: um estudo de caso a partir da percep o de diretores de centro de uma IES pública do sul do Brasil

This research aimed to analyze the management challenges from the perception of Center Directors of a higher education institution (IES) in the South of Brazil with regard to knowledge; evaluations of others; time available; commitment of subordinates; management of differences; bureaucracy and centralization; and ethical actions. A qualitative case study with data collection by means of in-depth interviews with seven Center Directors from a screenplay with open questions, whose answers underwent content analysis. The main challenges faced by the directors of the Center are related to the absence of prior knowledge about the function and management aspects; the time available for the position in relation to the activities that need to be carried out; and management of relational differences of subordinates, administrative and personal. It is hoped that this study can contribute to the University Management to point out some of the challenges faced by University managers in the exercise of its function, helping them improve their processes of preparation, as well as assist the HIES in the monitoring of these professionals. In addition, it is believed that it can contribute to the area of knowledge to identify different challenges and, therefore, different possibilities of research topics in university management.