Processo decisório descentralizado: um estudo de caso sobre a implementação de uma política de cotas na pós-graduação em uma instituição pública de ensino superior

Abstract

Introduction: The Federal University of Minas Gerais sanctioned, in 2017, an affirmative policy, of a decentralized nature of implementation, for the inclusion of black (black and brown), indigenous and disabled people in its stricto sensu postgraduate courses. It should be noted that the collegiate bodies had considerable autonomy in specifying the reserve percentages (between 20% and 50%) and other decisions that may have had a direct impact on the implementation designs, policy results and organization directions (SIMON, 1944; STARBUCK, 2013). Which suggests a diversified policy. Research Problem and Objective: The objective of the research was to analyze how decentralization in the decision-making process can affect the implementation of policies, specifically, the stricto sensu postgraduate quota policy at UFMG, based on the following guiding question: How Has decentralization in the decision-making process affected the implementation of the quota policy in the stricto sensu graduate program at UFMG? Theoretical Foundation: It starts with the understanding and importance of the organizational decision-making process from Simon (1979), Mintzberg (1995) and Mann (2020). Therefore, decision-making by the bureaucracy is portrayed (WEBER, 2008; LIPSKY, 1980; LOTTA, 2010). Finally, affirmative actions in Brazilian postgraduate studies are addressed based on Carvalho (2006), Rosemberg (2013) and Venturini (2017). It is highlighted that decentralization and discretion in the implementation of the analyzed policy are consistent with the bottom-up implementation process; here, collegiates are considered to be both middle and low-level bureaucrats. Methodology: The research is characterized as quantitative in nature with a predominantly descriptive and analytical focus. The answer to the guiding question is based on the document analysis of the 2018 selection notices (year of implementation of the policy) of the 87 stricto sensu postgraduate programs at UFMG, available on the website of the Dean of Postgraduate Studies. The analysis of the public notices generated a database with 168 observations, referring to the combination of program, course (master's or doctorate), area and CAPES evaluation concept and selection process (2018/1, 2018/2); Statistical analyzes were employed. Analysis of the Results: The data point to a diversity in the implementation of the policy. Elements such as CAPES evaluation area and concept, course (master's or doctorate), semester and timing of the selection exam may have influenced the definition of the defined reserve percentage. Programs in the area of ​​human sciences are more sensitive in defining the reserve percentage, as well as those evaluated 7 at CAPES. In addition, the reserve percentages are concentrated in the neighborhood of the minimum limit, since 67.3% of the offers presented a percentage between 20% and 25%. Conclusion: The results show that, in fact, there is a high diversity in the policy implementation designs, due to the decentralization present in the bottom-up implementation. However, although decentralization provides, according to Paes de Paula (2005), a more equitable and realistic policy, it cannot be said that the plurality found in the implementation designs is positive or negative, since it may or may not reflect the real need for reserve of vacancies. Not even if, in fact, there was admission of these candidates, who may not have passed the selection process or given up on the vacancy.