University Department Leadership: Systematic Review (2006–2025)

Carmen Álvarez-Álvarez

doi:10.24310/ijne.16.2025.21994

Authors

Carmen Álvarez-Álvarez Universidad de Cantabria Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/ijne.16.2025.21994

Keywords:

gestión, universidad, gestión de personal, investigación de literatura académica

Abstract

Los departamentos universitarios son entidades intermedias estratégicas, necesarias y relevantes entre los equipos ejecutivos de gobierno y el personal docente e investigador. Este estudio examina la investigación científica sobre el liderazgo en los departamentos universitarios, clasificándola en seis áreas principales: (1) formación para el desempeño directivo; (2) percepción externa del liderazgo departamental; (3) el jefe de departamento; (4) el equipo de liderazgo; (5) los elementos a gestionar; y (6) las competencias directivas. Se llevó a cabo un análisis sistemático de la literatura científica publicada en Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect y Google Scholar, revisando un total de 35 artículos. Los resultados revelan la necesidad de mejorar la formación en gestión universitaria, una percepción externa negativa del cargo, excesivamente centrada en la figura del director, y la gestión del personal como el elemento más controvertido y significativo. Las conclusiones y el debate destacan numerosos consensos encontrados en los artículos analizados, futuras direcciones de investigación relacionadas con la formación en liderazgo, percepciones positivas, equipos de gestión y competencias de liderazgo. También se identifica una contradicción notable: las altas exigencias impuestas a los directores por personas que quizá nunca aspiren a asumir tales funciones. Las implicaciones prácticas incluyen orientar a las universidades para que diseñen programas de formación específicos, refuercen los equipos de liderazgo y mejoren los procesos de toma de decisiones para mejorar el rendimiento de los departamentos y la eficacia institucional.

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