The profile of forthcoming quality leaders: an exploratory factor analysis

Abstract

Currently, due to the globalization phenomenon and technological evolution, we are facing a new challenging set of paradigms encompassing social, industrial, financial and cultural issues. Hence, it is a difficult task to anticipate the new demands of the market concerning the most appreciated skills in the forthcoming workforce. This paper intends to report the sets of skills that comprise the desirable profile of the quality professional in the 21st century. To meet this purpose, a worldwide online survey was held online throughout the first quarter of 2018, assessing (adopting a 5-point Likert scale) the importance of 27 skills identified in relevant literature. A total of 319 valid answers, originated from 61 different countries, were collected and summarized through descriptive statistics. The results suggest that seven sets of skills (appreciated skills to forthcoming quality professionals) comprise the profile of the quality professional in the 21st century. Thus, professionals aiming the quality leader role may now tailor their skills based on the information provided in this paper. In addition, companies can use these results to specify the dimensions that their human resources should develop.