Evaluation of the impact of quality management systems on school climate

Abstract

Purpose

Implementation of quality management systems in educational institutions has gradually increased over the last few decades, even though there are still questions about the actual usefulness of these systems for improving school processes and outcomes. This study takes an in-depth look at the impact, understood as sustainable medium and long-term changes in the organisation, which implementation of quality management systems has on schools. Specifically, it analyses the effect these systems have on an essential dimension for school efficiency, which is school climate, as well as on satisfaction of the members of the education community.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this, we conducted an evaluation of the impact of quality management systems on a total of 29 Spanish primary and secondary education schools. This study is part of non-experimental research, since it is not possible to manipulate variables or randomly assign participants or treatment (Kerlinger 2002). This is an “ex post facto” study since the independent variables cannot be manipulated, but rather we wait for developments to occur naturally and then they are analysed. The idea is to validate the hypothesis once the event occurs, trying to find its causes “retrospectively”.

Findings

The results showed that quality management systems have a positive impact on aspects such as development of coexistence rules in schools, teacher participation in initiatives to improve schools and a positive climate in schools.

Research limitations/implications

On the other hand, there is no evidence of the impact of these systems on conflict resolution procedures or family participation in school life. The impact of quality management systems on the satisfaction of the members of the school community is also moderate.

Originality/value

The results obtained also show that the impact tends to be greater in private subsidised centres, in small schools, in centres where the system has been implemented for more years and when there is more support and monitoring by the educational authorities.

Citation

Egido Gálvez, I., Fernández Cruz, F.J. and Fernández Díaz, M.J. (2016), "Evaluation of the impact of quality management systems on school climate", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 30 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-01-2015-0010