This paper aimed to review the Brazilian scientific studies on competencies at work that were published between 1996 and 2004 in important Brazilian journals from the areas of Psychology and Business Administration. Empirical studies on the subject were identified and systematically analyzed, characterizing these inquiries, the theoretical approaches adopted by the authors, their intentions and methodological options used, the instruments of data collection and the procedures of analysis, among other aspects. Problems and limitations of the inquiries were discussed, aiming to disclose gaps and relevant questions for study, as well as presenting recommendations on research strategies. It has been evidenced the predominance of studies that attempted to identify relevant competencies to some occupational positions, as well as those that examined the contribution of learning processes for the development of competencies. Considering the lack of empirical inquiries on this subject, an agenda for future research is suggested in the end.
professional competencies; competency mapping; organizational behavior
