Professional capacity index modelling of university professors by quantile regression: Case of the Universidad de Los Andes

This study uses quantile regression to analyze the factors affecting the Professional Capacity Index and the Institutional Academic Risk based on data from the University of Los Andes (Mérida, Venezuela). Empirical results show that the effects of the covariables considered vary upon the specified quantiles. The main factors affecting the Institutional Academic Risk are the condition of being retired, the category or rank, and the level of education of the professor. It is even possible to measure the magnitude of the reduction of the ICP given the characteristics of the professor who is about to retire. It is necessary to promote programs that allow such an Index to increase as well as to reduce the risk of a progressive loss of highly qualified human capital.