Determinación de las competencias organizacionales en empresa turística de Manabí- Ecuador

This study adapts previous research focused on a poultry microenterprise to a new context of tourism companies in Manabí province, Ecuador. Its objective is to determine the key organizational competencies required by tourism enterprises in Manabí to improve performance and competitive advantage. A mixed-method methodology was used, including bibliographic and field research with inductive, deductive, descriptive, and analytical-synthetic approaches. A Delphi method was applied with a panel of tourism sector experts, complemented by semi-structured interviews, specialized staff surveys, and a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) of the studied businesses. As a result, a refined set of essential organizational competencies for success in the tourism sector was identified among them: customer orientation, teamwork, decision-making, innovation, service quality, planning capacity, leadership, and commitment, among others. Evaluation of these competencies revealed significant gaps in their development within local firms: approximately 80% of these competencies are not being adequately cultivated in the current workforce. Based on the findings, guidelines are proposed for an improvement plan focused on competency-based management, including continuous training programs, competency-based recruitment, and other organizational development strategies. The results provide valuable input for tourism managers and policymakers, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Manabí’s tourism sector through the strengthening of its key organizational competencies.