Staff development and performance appraisal in a Brazilian research centre

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to analyse the staff development and performance appraisal in a Brazilian research centre. Design/methodology/approach - The key issues of this case study are: the main organisational changes which have taken place over the last decades; the aspects of the organisational structure that have either contributed to or hindered competence‐based management; the development of necessary researchers' competences related to main projects and processes and the way of appraising the development of their competences. The analysis of this paper was carried out considering the following phases: strategic planning, specifications of projects and processes, competence‐based management and performance appraisal of researchers. Findings - Although integration was found between the performance measurement and strategic plans defined by the research centre, competence‐based management is still centred on individuals and based on their tasks. The link between researchers' competences and their social context is not considered. Originality/value - Feedback from the results of research projects and recycling of organisational processes would allow the studied organisation not only to identify the individual competences necessary for each activity, but also to improve the relationship between professional growth and innovation brought about by competitive strategies of companies.