The implementation of the Quota Law in a university in Minas Gerais: An analysis based on institutional theory

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research conducted int the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) that sought to understand the implementation process of the Quota Law, using institutional theory as a theoretical basis. The Quota Law changed the meritocratic institutional format for admission to teaching, promoting democratization of access to federal universities. The research has a qualitative nature, in a descriptive format. We adopted the case study method, cut between 2012 and 2020. Data collection involved document analysis and semi-structured interviews with ten university managers. The data were analyzed from a content analysis perspective. In the results, we detect that the institutional environment of UFMG incorporated important regulations, which provided deep organizational adaptations, which enabled the implementation of the Quota Law to take place in a structured way. We also detected that the process of organizational adaptation to institutional changes is still taking place. In other words, institutionalization remains dynamic with regard to understanding the social context of quota holders and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, in addition to the complications caused by the pandemic.