Resumo

The COVID-19 pandemic is described as devastating, as it generates high levels of uncertainty, affects numerous aspects of social life, aggravates inequalities related to income, education and employment; significantly transforming organizational relationships and dynamics. Despite this, even though previous experiences show that pandemics generate numerous social and economic transformations, there are considerable difficulties in assessing the recent context given the intensity and magnitude of this social shock (Jorda, Singh, & Taylor, 2020).

It is in this context that this study aims to understand the various implications of COVID-19 in the context of Corporate Universities, identifying actions taken by them in view of the urgency imposed by the pandemic, related to the survival of organizations, health and well-being of the employees. Specifically, this article seeks to answer the following research question: What are the main actions taken by Corporate Universities considering the reality imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic generated drastic changes and impacts on society, whose effects will last and will be evaluated for years. Given this reality, the article aimed to present the main actions implemented during the pandemic period, as well as the main trends that unfold in the post-pandemic, within the scope of Corporate Universities. The paper was predominantly based on academic literature published during the pandemic and was anchored in the Human Capital Theory – HCT, which relates investments in employee qualification to increases in organizational productivity.

The survey showed the emergence of other priorities in the pandemic, with intense actions in terms of digital technology to prepare leaders and employees for remote work and ensure the survival of organizations. Furthermore, it highlighted the importance of training leaders to deal with the unknown, motivating their teams, with a quick ability to provide answers and adapt to new contexts. It also observed the growth of actions aimed at the well-being and attention to the physical and emotional health of employees, valued by employees and inducing engagement and loyalty to organizations.

In the context of the COVID-19, the main actions taken by the Corporate Universities focused on the qualification of their leaders and professionals. There was also an increase their investments, with emphasis on digital technologies, and actions aimed at employee engagement, motivation and emotional health. The main trends for the post-COVID-19 aim at expanding short-term hybrid courses and changing the business model that needs to be adjusted to the new challenges generated by the pandemic.

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