Abstract

The principal aim of this research has been to analyze the influence of the context and organizational culture in the acquisition and development of critical competencies for CEO positions in subsidiaries of multinational companies from the perspective of the players themselves, using a qualitative approach consisting of interviews with thirty CEOs. The influence of the external context was analyzed and understood, as was the culture of organizations in the acquiring and development of certain competencies, with the specific economic conditions of the local market and the leaders respectively being the principal influencing elements. Last, the methods for development of the skills are described, mainly represented by a variety of experiences and major difficulties, such as expatriations.