Uma teoria substantiva do processo de construção do perfil profissional para atuar no agronegócio

Abstract

Technological advancements have brought changes to the job market, demanding new skills from professionals. In addition to advanced technical knowledge specific to agriculture, employers have become increasingly demanding regarding the professional and personal characteristics of their hires. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a substantive theory of the process of constructing a professional profile to work in agribusiness. To achieve this, the requirements demanded of professionals were identified through the analysis of job postings on LinkedIn, and the perspective of professionals working in different agribusiness sectors, HR professionals, and coordinators of undergraduate and graduate courses in Agribusiness was obtained through interviews. It is worth noting that some interviewed professionals were pursuing postgraduate studies. The term “construction” refers to the acquisition and development of knowledge and skills necessary for working in agribusiness. Grounded Theory methodological procedures were used to develop the substantive theory. In this context, the requirements demanded of professionals in the job postings on LinkedIn were identified. The description of the trajectory of the different interviewed professionals was fundamental for the development of the categories that make up the theoretical scheme of the substantive theory. The five developed categories correspond to external factors, motivational factors, challenges, career planning, and the central category of continuous learning. These categories are based on empirical data and relate to the process of constructing the professional profile. Returning to the literature, it was observed that a significant part of the thesis results converges with the literature, and some elements expand the understanding of the process of constructing the professional profile. Among these elements are the external factors related to job opportunities, important for acquiring professional experience and, consequently, the development of new knowledge and skills, as the job market also acts as a formative agent. Areas with promising job opportunities in agribusiness are related to environmental sustainability and can be challenging for professionals. Professional challenges and familiarity with the field of work are also elements not discussed in the literature, considering the established search and filters. The research highlights the importance of social relationships and professional experience in the process of constructing the professional profile. It provides insights for professionals to plan their careers in agribusiness, as well as for educational institutions and organizations. In this regard, organizations can collaborate with educational institutions through partnership programs, offering lectures, workshops for the academic community, and short-term training and development programs. The research demonstrates that continuous learning is an essential part of the process of constructing the professional profile, enabling individuals to adapt to the demands of a constantly changing sector. The results can guide professionals in relation to the priority areas of knowledge and skills to be developed, considering the demands identified in the study. Additionally, it expands the use of GT, especially the Straussian approach, by detailing the process of constructing the substantive theory, organizing, and presenting the results, aiming to collaborate with other researchers interested in this method.