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Micropolitics and the Principalship

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Micropolitics and the Principalship Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs) Fall 2010 Micropolitics and the Principalship: A Qualitative Examination of How Principals Develop This Critical Attribute of School Leadership John Stimmel Seton Hall University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations Part of the Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, and the Educational Leadership Commons Recommended Citation Stimmel, John, "Micropolitics and the Principalship: A Qualitative Examination of How Principals Develop This Critical Attribute of School Leadership" (2010). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 2136. https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2136 ABSTRACT Micropolitics and the Principalship: A Qualitative Examination of How Principals Develop This Critical Attribute of School Leadership Schools, like most contemporary organizations, are complex places, and there is an extensive body of evidence that outlines the skills that school leaders must possess to effectively operate schools. Effective school leadership is essential, and not only for the safe and orderly operations of school. Recent evidence indicates that a positive relationship exists between principal effectiveness and student achievement. The complexity of schools is due in part to the fact that schools are immersed in politics. This case sought to explore how principals acquire and develop the micropolitical skills required for their position from the onset of the principalship. ii LIST OF TABLES 1. Principals’ Perceptions of Mapping the Political Terrain ..............................................58 2. Principals’ Perceptions of Setting the Agenda...............................................................63 3. Principals’ Perceptions of Networking and Coalition Building ....................................69 4. Principals’ Perceptions of Bargaining and Negotiating .................................................76 5. Taxonomy of Principals’ Perceptions of Micropolitics ...............................................171 iii Micropolitics and the Principalship: A Qualitative Examination of How Principals Develop This Critical Attribute of School Leadership TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements Dedications List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iii Chapter I INTRODUCTION Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................5 Statement of the Problem .....................................................................................................7 Research Questions ..............................................................................................................8 Significance of the Study .....................................................................................................8 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................9 Limitations of the Study.....................................................................................................10 Delimitations ......................................................................................................................10 Definition of Terms............................................................................................................11 Summary ............................................................................................................................12 Chapter II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Introduction ........................................................................................................................13 The Four Frames ................................................................................................................13 The Political Frame: Organizational Politics .....................................................................15 Politics in Education ..........................................................................................................19 Micropolitics Defined ........................................................................................................20 Micropolitics Contrasted With Macropolitics ...................................................................22 The Research on Micropolitics in Schools ........................................................................23 Micropolitics and the Role of the Principal .......................................................................25 Principals and Their Effect on Student Achievement ........................................................27 Political Skills and Principal Preparation ..........................................................................28 Summary ............................................................................................................................29 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................32 Chapter III METHODOLOGY Introduction ........................................................................................................................34 Research Design.................................................................................................................34 Sample................................................................................................................................36 Selection Process ...............................................................................................................37 Interviews ...........................................................................................................................39 Interview Guide .................................................................................................................39 Instrument Validation_____________________________________________________ Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................44 Summary ............................................................................................................................46 Chapter IV PRESENTATION OF ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS Introduction ........................................................................................................................48 Nature of the Study ............................................................................................................48 Presentation and Analysis of Data .....................................................................................52 Background Information ....................................................................................................54 Categories of Questions____________________________________________________ Mapping the Political Terrain ................................................................................56 Setting the Agenda .................................................................................................60 Networking and Coalition Building .......................................................................67 Bargaining and Negotiating ...................................................................................75 Recommendations of Participants......................................................................................82 Subsequent Interviews .......................................................................................................85 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................87 Summary ............................................................................................................................93 Chapter V SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction ........................................................................................................................95 Summary of Research ........................................................................................................95 Summary ............................................................................................................................95 Research Questions_______________________________________________________ Research Question #1 ............................................................................................98 Research Question #2 ..........................................................................................103 Research Question #3 ..........................................................................................106 Research Question #4 ..........................................................................................107 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................109 Policy Recommendations.................................................................................................119 Practice Recommendations ..............................................................................................121
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