Teaching People Management in Production Engineering Courses

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze how courses related to personnel management and human resources are offered in Production Engineering programs at universities in the state of São Paulo. Theoretical Framework: The investigation encompasses the emergence of production engineering as a science and field of study, followed by a section on the practice of personnel management as a field of interest. Finally, it presents a topic related to the competencies required of production engineers in the job market. Method: The adopted methodology is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and methodological in nature, utilizing bibliographic research as the main procedure. The research methods include literature review to technically support the work, documentary research related to selected educational institutions, and a case study. Results and Discussion: Literature review results indicate that the historical evolution of Production Engineering and Personnel Management education reveals an adaptation to market demands, influenced by industrial and economic movements over time. The interdependence between these two areas reflects a strategy to address the challenges of emerging scenarios, highlighting a continuous pursuit of innovation, quality, and efficiency. Case study results reveal that some institutions offer a significant number of courses focused on personnel management. However, the credit allocation for these courses is generally low. Regarding the diversity between mandatory and elective courses, there is a balance, with a slight predominance in elective course offerings. Research Implications: The research aims to expand and enrich the theoretical framework related to production engineering and personnel management, with the goal of encouraging future research on the topics addressed at different levels of education. Originality/Value: The study initiates a discussion on the importance of production engineers in organizations and the relevance of personnel management practice in the workplace, as well as investigating the intersection of these two areas in professional development.