Abstract

The present study aims to analyze, from the agency theory, the impact of the dual role phenomenon in the accreditation of professional institutes (PI) and technical training centers (TTC) in Chile. Using a mixed and exploratory research approach, an inspection is performed on the accreditation opinions of 24 PIs and 18 TTCs, which represents 62% of Chile’s professional technical subsystem. The results show evidence of a dual role in seven institutions (17%), which average 2.1 years of accreditation, a comparatively lower result than that observed in the other accredited institutions assessed. Twelve quantitative institutional accreditation variables are analyzed, verifying that, the observance of a dual role together with four other variables, constitute significant components when explaining the accreditation years of PIs and TTCs in Chile. It is concluded that the PI and TTC dual role phenomenon is a component that leads to tensions and does not guarantee an adequate separation of functions (management and property), which negatively impacts their accreditations.