Cândido, CarlosCampeã, Manuel2014-05-222014-05-222013Campeã, Manuel H. C. e Carlos J. F. Cândido (2013) A Quality Improvement Approach for Developing the Human Resources of Portuguese Local Authorities, International Journal of Professional Management, 8(1), 1-132042-2341AUT: CCA00501;http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/4038Several efforts have been made to improve the quality of human resources employed by Portuguese local authorities (HRPLA). Still, the vast majority of the personnel, including management, have low qualifications and seem to be less productive than their foreign counterparts. Based on a quality improvement approach, this paper proposes and tests a model encompassing eight management dimensions. The intention is to contribute to the development of the HRPLA. A survey assessed the importance of each management dimension, the ability of the respondents to manage these, and the actual forms of management used. Statistical tests provided support for the validity of the model and suggest that, whilst respondents consider its dimensions to be very important, their autonomy and ability to manage them is low. The main restrictions to this come from legislation, lack of management knowledge, lack of training, and politics. Results also suggest that a common language can be developed between public and private organisations.engHuman resources managementQuality managementPublic sector managementPortuguese local authoritiesAlgarvejournal article