Developing competences for middle managers in the Maltese public sector

Abstract

This study aims to highlight the important role of middle managers in the Maltese Public Sector. In the recent wake of the Public Service Commission Annual Report 2011, the issue of competence for managers in the Maltese Public Sector has been given due importance. The study aims to identify competences that every middle manager should have to manage effectively. In face of political and economic environment, an effective and efficient public service is important for the quality of governance, economic, social and political health of a county. Approximately 41,000 of the total Maltese workforce have some form of employment within the public sector. The public sector is under continuous pressure to change and adapt. Today the Maltese Public Sector faces the challenge of identifying and filling in the gaps, whilst building on Human Resources capacity to meet new challenges in order to provide a strong public service for the future. To achieve this objective, the research methodology consisted of questionnaires which were distributed amongst Middle Managers and their Subordinates. The findings revealed that all competences were perceived to be important to the success of middle managers. The most frequently identified competences were Management Relationship, Teamwork and Motivation, Accountability and Improvement of Self. The literature reviewed helped the researcher to be more aware of the implications of competent or incompetent middle manager. Based on the study outcomes, recommendations were proposed to current and potential middle managers, top management and Human Resources Personnel, and future researchers. Current and potential middle managers can assess themselves against those [ii] competences that emerged from this study by identifying those gaps in their skills, knowledge, attributes and qualities whilst working on their strengths in the formulation of better management plan. It is also hoped that Top Management and Human Resources (HR) professionals will stand to benefit because the study findings will help in the development and build up for management development strategies whilst integrating other HR functions. These findings can also be used in order to evaluate and find the best way forward in building potential effective managers. Future researchers can use these study findings as a foundation for conducting more in depth study of this field.