THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT PROFESSIONAL AND THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION IN SERGIPE

This study is aimed at studying how the role of the executive secretariat professional can influence the decision-making process in an Undergraduate Educational Institution at the State of Sergipe. In order to achieve this goal, a case study was conducted in a private university, located in the city of Lagarto in Sergipe, with the academic secretary of the institution who has Executive Secretariat Degree. Regarding the methodology, it is a descriptive research with a qualitative nature. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with four professionals in the Undergraduate Educational Institution chosen: a secretariat professional, the general and academic directors and the secretary's assistant. Data were therefore analyzed based on the content of these interviews, which were designed to understand the dynamics of power and decision-making around the existing position of secretary. The results indicate that, in general, the secretariat professional has no decision-making power, but the way he/she operates has an impact on the decisions of the institution due to her privileged access to strategic information and its management.