The Role of HR between Teaching, the Job Market and Talent Management:

the Portuguese Case

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse the balance between higher education in Human Resource (HR) Management and the market demand for this function in Portugal. In addition, the study aims to understand HR’s talent management, both with
regard to education and the job market. The qualitative approach was followed, and an empirical, descriptive and exploratory study presented. Two groups were selected and compared: i) in higher education, 10 schools with degrees in HR Management (five public and five private) were identified; ii) in the job market, 189 advertisements for the HR function, from four different sites were analysed. Data show that there is a connection between the training provided by the academy and the demand for HR professionals by organizations. However, it is argued that, currently, talent management does not assume a prominent position. Research
avenues for future work are also advanced.