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1 – 10 of 11Shameem Shagirbasha, Kumar Madhan and Juman Iqbal
Though there is an increasing corpus of work on contemporary styles of leadership, studies on distributed leadership (DL) are still in the nascent stage. Therefore, the purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Though there is an increasing corpus of work on contemporary styles of leadership, studies on distributed leadership (DL) are still in the nascent stage. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how DL affects team effectiveness from the neglected perspectives of team cognition, team motivation and team coordination in startup companies using multi-level analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors investigated the study variables through the lens of 42 teams in 18 startup organizations operating in India, representing an equitable distribution of the manufacturing and service sectors. M-plus was used to do statistical analysis on the multi-level model.
Findings
Drawing upon social exchange theory (SET), results indicated that DL had a favorable impact on team effectiveness and team cognitive processes, team motivation and team coordination mediates the association between DL and individual perceptions of team effectiveness.
Originality/value
Various studies have been carried out relating to leadership and how it impacts effectiveness. However, as far as the authors know, previous studies have failed to empirically address how DL drives team effectiveness by uncovering the mediating impact of team cognitive processes, team motivation and team coordination in the Indian startup context.
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Maxwell M. Yurkofsky and Donald J. Peurach
This paper proposes a new conception of school systems arising out of the collision of three forces: (1) a longstanding press to rationalize the technical work of schools in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper proposes a new conception of school systems arising out of the collision of three forces: (1) a longstanding press to rationalize the technical work of schools in the service of educational excellence; (2) a growing democratic press to equitably engage community members in the process of defining educational excellence; which together are (3) heightening legacy uncertainties that pervade educational organizations. It then draws on paradox theory to explore how leaders might navigate the growing uncertainties that are central to the work of organizing for excellence and equity.
Design/methodology/approach
Integrating scholarship related to organizational institutionalism, paradox theory, learning sciences, social justice leadership and educational system building, this paper examines the changing organization of schools, the growing uncertainty facing educators and the implications for leaders and preparation programs.
Findings
This paper introduces two perspectives on how to navigate the growing uncertainty facing educators and educational leaders: one that centers on mitigating uncertainty, the other that prioritizes leveraging uncertainty. Both perspectives have affordances and limitations when considering the twin goals of educational excellence and equitable involvement in decision-making, and leaders should thus view uncertainty as a paradox—an interdependent, persistent, contradiction—that can never be fully resolved, but can be managed. A paradox perspective makes visible the complex work of effectively moving between mitigating and leveraging uncertainty, especially in a field where the latter garners more support and legitimacy.
Originality/value
This paper synthesizes recent educational and organizational scholarship to develop a new conception of educational organizations and a corresponding approach to educational leadership capable of navigating the growing complexity and uncertainty that pervades school systems.
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Tiedan Huang and Pascale Benoliel
This study aims to test the mediated effect of school climate in the relationship of principal time use (PTU) to student academic achievement using data from Singapore's 2011…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to test the mediated effect of school climate in the relationship of principal time use (PTU) to student academic achievement using data from Singapore's 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
Design/methodology/approach
Capitalizing on the large-scale data, the study examined how Singapore principals distributed their time across 13 leadership activities and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) how Singapore principals' time use was related to student achievement through molding intermediate school conditions, such as school climate.
Findings
The authors' findings suggest that Singaporean principals, when allocating time, generally emphasized (1) monitoring students' learning progress, (2) promoting school vision, (3) developing curricular goals and (4) monitoring teachers in areas related to curricular goals. Furthermore, after classifying the 13 principal activities into three broad domains, the authors find that Singaporean principals prioritize the domain of vision and goals over the other two domains – facilitating teaching and learning through a safe, positive school environment and problem-solving with teachers, as well as self and organizational improvement. Finally, the authors' SEM manifested a partial mediated model, suggesting principals' strategic time use could serve as a malleable factor in yielding optimal student outcomes through developing a positive school climate.
Originality/value
This study at present is one of the early attempts linking PTU, intermediate school conditions (e.g. school climate) and student outcomes using a mediated design and corresponding statistical modeling.
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Sarah L. Woulfin and Natalie Spitzer
This paper applies concepts from organizational theory as well as physics to elucidate the role of time in the US education system’s efforts to recuperate from the pandemic. This…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper applies concepts from organizational theory as well as physics to elucidate the role of time in the US education system’s efforts to recuperate from the pandemic. This paper contributes to an important body of work focusing on implementation of reform efforts in education that use time in innovative ways.
Design/methodology/approach
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted time in educational organizations and, thus, for educators and students. Time has been a vital tool for educational reform, yet many applications of organizational theory and literature on educational change neglect to underscore its importance. The authors explore resources, guidelines and practices related to time employed to recuperate from pandemic-related disruptions to schooling.
Findings
The authors discuss three cases in which time has been utilized to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) accelerated learning; (2) extended time; and (3) redeveloped professional learning. For each case, the authors demonstrate how time has been conceptualized and how leaders are stretching the space-time of schooling to provide resources and learning opportunities to students and educators.
Practical implications
This article describes how district and school leaders can draw on their agency to reshape time-use in educational organizations.
Originality/value
This article advances an innovative framework demonstrating the importance of time in educational change. The authors also portray innovative models that provide time for students to receive an array of responsive, equity-centered, academic and SEL opportunities and for educators to collaborate, continuing their own development amid the ever-shifting Covid-context.
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Jennifer Karnopp and Jeff Walls
Existing conceptualizations of organizational learning focus on processes and structures while also acknowledging a social element, usually framed as bringing people together…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing conceptualizations of organizational learning focus on processes and structures while also acknowledging a social element, usually framed as bringing people together through formal structures. While much scholarship notes that school culture mediates organizational learning, culture is often relegated to the realm of context. Affective and relational components of organizational learning remain undertheorized. The authors argue that attending more closely to the relational component of organizational learning will offer new insights into the enactment of organizational learning in schools.
Design/methodology/approach
The study briefly discusses schools of thought regarding organizational learning. It also summarizes extant conceptualizations of school climate and culture, laying these alongside the sense of community (SOC) framework (McMillan and Chavis, 1986). Utilizing prior research, it illustrates the value of bringing this framework into conversation with theories of organizational learning in schools to enrich understandings of the conditions under which organizational learning occurs.
Findings
The authors suggest a conceptualization of relationality in organizational learning rooted in SOC, a conceptualization that is both broader than merely transactional interactions and more precise than that offered by extant notions of school culture and climate.
Originality/value
The relational perspective captured by SOC offers researchers new avenues to more fulsomely explore the ways that trust, belonging, caring and shared values facilitate organizational learning. A more thorough understanding of the role of relationality in organizational learning may provide answers to salient questions, including why some teachers go above and beyond to seek out opportunities and why some changes stay bounded within departments and substructures.
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Follett's relational process theory illuminates key aspects of interdependence among organizations in the field of education that are essential to fostering capacities for…
Abstract
Purpose
Follett's relational process theory illuminates key aspects of interdependence among organizations in the field of education that are essential to fostering capacities for interorganizational resilience. The article argues for the necessity of developing mutualism in systems of education as essential preparation for times of instability and crisis, as demonstrated through recent experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
This article provides an introduction to the relational process theory of Mary Parker Follett, a foundational theorist of organizing and administration. This theoretical review uses worked examples drawn from a collaborative, continuous improvement partnership focused on educational leadership preparation and development.
Findings
The author identifies four aspects of Follett's theory that connect most directly to collaborative, continuous improvement partnerships. These include mutualism as circular response, coactive power, embrace of difference through constructive conflict and integrating experience through learning. The article discusses how these offer an integrated framework of foundational concepts for nurturing and sustaining educational systems capable of adaptive change in the face of complex challenges.
Originality/value
Follett's relational process theory offers a perspective on partnering as a dynamic and evolving constellation of interactions and activity. The implications of Follett's core ideas for education resonate beyond improvement partnerships and offer guidance at all levels of educational systems seeking to orient towards an evolutionary logic.
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Peng Liu, Xiao Fei Chen, Ya Xi Cheng and Shan Shan Xiao
Teacher well-being has been a concern, but there has been a lack of research on how teacher leadership can contribute to teacher well-being in a high-accountability context and a…
Abstract
Purpose
Teacher well-being has been a concern, but there has been a lack of research on how teacher leadership can contribute to teacher well-being in a high-accountability context and a hierarchical education system such as that of China, particularly through the meditating roles of trust in the leader and teacher efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being while exploring the mediating roles of trust in leaders and teacher efficacy in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Using structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrap methods with valid answers from 1,144 teachers in 25 primary schools in 1 Chinese city, this study mainly answered three questions: Is there a significant relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being? Is there a significant mediating effect of trust in leaders on the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being? Is there a significant mediating effect of teacher efficacy on the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being?
Findings
This study reported a positive relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being. This study also found positive mediating roles for trust in leaders and teacher efficacy in the relationship between teacher leadership and teacher well-being in a high-accountability and hierarchical system like that of China.
Originality/value
This study provides an understanding of the transferability of teacher leadership theories across cultures and has practical significance for educational practice in high-accountability and hierarchical education contexts similar to that of China.
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This paper explores how individual and collective burnout has become an organizational concern for school leaders, why burnout matters and what might be done to address the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores how individual and collective burnout has become an organizational concern for school leaders, why burnout matters and what might be done to address the problems individual and organizational burnout generates.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents an analysis of the current literature regarding individual and collective burnout, identifies contributing factors and explores the impacts of each. Following a discussion and synthesis of the research literature, implications for practice are presented.
Findings
Highlighting exhaustion as a factor in burnout and as a significant consequence of stress, the paper proposes specific individual teacher and leader actions focused on addressing broad organizational responses with the potential to address the consequences of burnout including depersonalization, cynicism, emotional and compassion fatigue, and a loss of individual and collective efficacy. The authors argue that for burnout to be successfully mitigated, urgent strategic and focused organizational responses are essential to identify, track, and counter individual and collective burnout.
Originality/value
Much of the existing burnout literature focuses on the individual as the locus of experience and inquiry. The authors contend that this predominant focus on individual experience is insufficient to address systemic organizational issues, problems and concerns facing educational organizations that perpetuates and accelerates the experience of individuals. This paper contribution elevates conceptions of and discussions about burnout to the organizational level and reframes the conversation by focusing on organizational responses.
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Tara Brooks, Ryan Zantinge and Faris Elghaish
Although data rich building information models have been widely adopted in the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in the United Kingdom (UK), use of 2D…
Abstract
Purpose
Although data rich building information models have been widely adopted in the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in the United Kingdom (UK), use of 2D drawings on site for construction is still the norm. The ability of 2-dimensional (2D) drawings to convey complex 3-dimensional information is limited and requires interpretation from operatives, and 2D drawings can be quickly superseded by model updates. Although constructing directly from a model has been adopted in the aerospace and automotive industries, its use in construction is in its infancy. This research therefore aims to investigate the potential for, and barriers to, model-based construction in the UK.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a qualitative approach, thematically analysing 13 semi-structured interviews with UK-based construction professionals who have experience of paperless or model-based construction.
Findings
Although model -based construction has been implemented to a limited extent on some civil engineering projects; research and investment in software, network capacity, legal and contractual issues, and cultural and human factors will need to be considered before model-based construction can be implemented more widely.
Originality/value
The research contributes to an understudied, emergent area of construction practice and outlines hurdles that need to be understood and overcome before more widespread adoption of model-based construction can take place.
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